MADRID — Real Madrid opened their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, headlining the first full night of the competition's league phase. Kylian Mbappe led the attack for the Spanish side.

Manager Xabi Alonso rotated his squad across Real Madrid's midweek La Liga fixture at Elche and the European opener to manage fitness in the opening weeks of the season.

The expanded 36-team league format means Madrid face eight matches against different opponents before the knockout rounds. UEFA scheduled a heavy slate of continental fixtures across Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Madrid entered the European season under pressure to reassert dominance after failing to lift the trophy the previous year. Club president Florentino Perez had publicly stated the Champions League remained the institution's defining priority.

"This competition is part of our DNA and every campaign begins with the same ambition," Alonso told reporters at his pre-match press conference at Valdebebas.