Wed Sep 18 10:08:17 UTC 2024: ## Real Madrid Edges Past Stuttgart in Champions League Opener
**Madrid, Spain:** Defending champions Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in their UEFA Champions League opener at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Despite struggling for much of the match, Real Madrid ultimately prevailed thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and a late strike from Endrick, who became the youngest Champions League scorer in the club’s history.
Stuttgart had the better chances in the first half, with Thibaut Courtois making several key saves. The German side even hit the woodwork in the 28th minute. Real Madrid thought they had a penalty just before half-time, but the referee overturned the decision after determining Rudiger had gone down too easily.
The game turned after the break when Real Madrid caught Stuttgart off guard with a quick counter-attack that led to Mbappe’s goal. Stuttgart equalized shortly after, but Rudiger put Madrid back in front with a header. Endrick’s late goal sealed the victory.
The match also marked the debut of the new Champions League format, which features a league phase replacing the traditional group stage. The top eight teams in the league phase will automatically advance to the round of 16, with the remaining spots decided through a knockout play-off phase. The knockout stages will begin in February, leading to the final in Munich on May 31, 2025.
First Piper 