Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga followed Vinicius Junior’s lead from La Liga as they combined for the winning goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Inter
For a while, many in Spanish football scoffed at Real Madrid spending a combined €90 million (£75m/$015m) on Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.
The Brazilian wingers failed to deliver consistently for Zinedine Zidane, and the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo continued to loom large over the Spanish capital, especially considering Eden Hazard’s injury problems.
Hazard’s consistent absences were matched by the inconsistency of the South American duo, but at the start of this season, they have been crucial for Carlo Ancelotti and Los Blancos
Vinicius has netted four goals in the opening four La Liga matches to put Madrid top of the table, and now Rodrygo’s 89th-minute strike has earned his team a huge 1-0 win at Inter on Wednesday in their Champions League opener.
Madrid have started the season in swashbuckling fashion, with goals flying in at both ends, but back in his homeland Ancelotti changed the plan.
The Italian tactician shut up shop against the Italian champions to snatch the three points at San Siro, in what is on paper the toughest game of their group-stage campaign.
For Inter, it was a familiar face taunting them. Last season it was Rodrygo who scored the winner in Real Madrid’s 3-2 home win over Inter in the group phase.
“In the Champions League I always do well, I love playing in this competition,” said Rodrygo.