Real Madrid Overcome Stuttgart Challenge in Thrilling Champions League Opener
Real Madrid kicked off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday evening. Despite a sluggish start and some defensive frailties, Los Blancos ultimately proved too strong for their German opponents, thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and substitute Endrick.
The match began with Stuttgart showing no fear against the 15-time European champions. The visitors pressed high and created several dangerous chances in the opening exchanges, forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into several important saves. However, it was Madrid who took the lead just 30 seconds into the second half, as Mbappe pounced on a loose ball in the box to tap home his first Champions League goal for the club.
Stuttgart refused to be intimidated and responded quickly, equalizing through Deniz Undav’s header in the 65th minute. The game seemed poised for an exciting finish, but Real Madrid regained the lead through Rudiger’s towering header from a corner kick in the 75th minute. The German defender, who spent time with Stuttgart earlier in his career, added insult to injury for his former club with a crucial goal that seemed to swing the momentum back in Madrid’s favor.
However, Real Madrid’s defense continued to look vulnerable, and Stuttgart continued to press for an equalizer. In the dying moments of the game, 18-year-old substitute Endrick silenced the Stuttgart challenge with a thunderous strike from 25 yards out, securing all three points for Real Madrid.
After the match, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience but acknowledged that there were areas for improvement. “We knew it was going to be a tough game against a very organized and motivated Stuttgart side,” Ancelotti said. “We struggled at times, but the important thing is that we found a way to win. We have to learn from this game and improve our defense if we want to go far in the Champions League.”
Mbappe, who was making his Champions League debut for Real Madrid, was pleased with his team’s performance despite the rocky start. “It was a great feeling to score my first goal for this club in the Champions League,” Mbappe said. “We had to fight hard for this win, but we showed our quality in the end. We know we can do better, but this is a good start for us.”
The victory puts Real Madrid top of their Champions League group, which also includes Liverpool, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund. The next test for Los Blancos comes on Saturday, when they host Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.
Real Madrid’s victory over Stuttgart was a reminder of their status as one of the most decorated clubs in European football. Despite some early struggles, the team’s quality and experience ultimately shone through, giving fans hope for another successful Champions League campaign. With Mbappe, Rudiger, and a host of other talented players at their disposal, Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition this season.