Rodrygo was the hero as Real Madrid claimed a late victory over Inter Milan. Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP via Getty Images
Real Madrid squandered a two-goal lead but fought back to claim a 3-2 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Madrid, who narrowly avoided dropping their opening two Group B games with a dramatic late draw against Borussia Monchengladbach last week, needed a late Rodrygo strike to overcome an inspired challenge from Antonio Conte's men.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an empty-net goal after being played in behind the Inter defence and rounding a charging Samir Handanovic with a touch.
Sergio Ramos followed up in the 33rd minute when he snapped a header down and past Handanovic from a Toni Kroos corner kick.
Lautaro Martinez pulled a goal back for the Italian side two minutes later with a right-footed finish after a wonderful back-heeled layoff from Nicolo Barella put him in on goal.
Inter were then level in the 68th through Ivan Perisic, who rolled home inside the far post after a quick counter-attack and cushioned header from Martinez.
But Madrid were not done, and re-took the lead 10 minutes from time -- second-half substitute Rodrygo wonderfully firing high and away from Handanovic after being picked out by a Vinicius cross in the box.
The win sits Zinedine Zidane's men third place in the group, level on points with second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk and one point behind the Germans with three matches left to play.
The two sides will again face each other on Matchday 4 of the competition on Nov. 25.
Source: espn.co.uk