Real Madrid player ratings as Inter beaten at San Siro:

Peep peep peeeep! Real Madrid have beaten Inter in Milan for the first time, and - thanks in no small part to Arturo Vidal's first-half red card - it has been a comfortable night for Los Blancos.

It wasn't just down to their numerical advantage, though; Madrid played very well both before and after Vidal's sending-off, and come away with an impressive victory that serves to open up their path to qualification from Champions League Group B.

Having started the night third in the group, Zinedine Zidane's men now sit second, three points ahead of Shakhtar in third - and will guarantee their place in the last 16 with a win over the Ukrainians next time out.

Meanwhile, Inter find themselves five points adrift of the top two and all but out. Barring a miracle, this'll be the third season in a row that the Nerazzurri have been eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage.

That's all from me - thanks for reading!

Two minutes of time added on at San Siro.

Real Madrid are playing keep-ball. It's been a very comfy night for Zinedine Zidane's men.

Former Tottenham man Christian Eriksen came on for Inter in place of Lukaku a couple of minutes ago, I neglected to tell you.

Substitute Sensi goes into the book for a foul on Casemiro.

Supersub Rodrygo not as quick as Vinicius, Benzema

Despite scoring after just 34 seconds on the field tonight, Rodrygo only managed the third-fastest by a Real Madrid substitute in the Champions League, notes Mister Chip. Vinicius and Benzema have both netted sooner as subs: the former after 14 seconds against Shakhtar last month, and the Frenchman after 33 seconds against CSKA in 2012.

Inter finally test Courtois, who has had little to nothing to do tonight. Perisic takes on Carvajal and fizzes in a low, cross-cum-shot towards the back stick, forcing the Real Madrid goalkeeper to parry. He almost diverts the ball straight into the path of Lukaku; had it fallen to the striker, it would have been a tap-in.

Inter also made a substitution, withdrawing Gagliardini for Stefano Sensi.

On comes Vinicius, who replaces Hazard.

The Brazilian is straight into the action, attempting to curl a shot into Handanovic's top corner from the top of the box, but firing off target.

Inter play it about for a while before having their attack easily snuffed out by the Real Madrid backline.  Up the other end, Rodrygo lays it off for Kroos to cross from the left, but with Hazard and Rodrygo waiting in the middle, the German's cut-back is blocked.

Lucas Vázquez skips away from Barella, who hurts himself in the process of being skinned, the poor lad. I'm struggling to remember a better performance from Vázquez.

Vinicius is preparing to come on for Madrid.

Ufff! Just as I say they've had the stuffing knocked out of them, Inter very nearly pull one back. It's a lovely effort from Perisic, who drifts a curling left-footed shot just past Courtois' top corner from the right-hand edge of the penalty area.

And there is another chance for a third - but Hazard skews his shot well wide in yards and yards of shooting space on the edge of the box. Should have done better.

Real Madrid are stroking it about very comfortably. They lose it momentarily, but when Inter look to break, Barella is easily run off it and back come the visitors.

They win a free-kick on the left, which Kroos flights towards the back post for Vázquez to volley - but he slices it wide! It didn't come there, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see a third goal come in the near future. Inter look to have had the stuffing knocked out of them by that Rodrygo strike.

Inter need goals or they're (pretty much) heading out, and Conte throws on another forward, taking off full-back Achraf Hakimi and bringing on Alexis Sánchez.

It's all Real Madrid ball. They had slightly lost control of possession in the second half, but that second goal has settled them right back down.

Real Madrid make their first two changes of the night, bringing on Casemiro and Rodrygo Goes for Odegaard and Mariano.

Perisic takes on Carvajal and clips over a cross to Lukaku at the back post, but it's just too high for the Belgian.

Inter win it right back, though; Madrid have lost control of proceedings a bit in the first 10 minutes of this second half.

Achraf wins a free-kick on the left, Young delivers, and Nacho clears. Again Inter appeal for a penalty - with a touch more reserve, this time - after D'Ambrosio clashes with Carvajal, and again there's nothing doing.

Back come Inter, Lukaku nodding a far-post cross back across goal towards Barella, but a Madrid leg hooks it clear. The urgency of their situation seems to have hit home for the hosts, who have thrown themselves at the visitors with a touch more purpose in the last few minutes.

Mendy gets to the byline and has his cross deflected behind. From the resuting corner, Kroos tries to catch out Handanovic and bend the ball straight in at the near post, but he doesn't get very close at all.

Hazard immediately works Handanovic, scuttling forward on the right and firing a low shot towards the goalkeeper's near-post, but it's an easy take for the Slovenian.

Inter look to have gone to a back four, with Lukaku on his own up top in something along the lines of a 4-4-1/4-2-2-1.

Peeep! We're back underway in Milan.

Inter make a double half-time change: Ivan Perisic and Danilo D'Ambrosio are on, with Bastoni and Lautaro withdrawn.

Here is a picture of Inter and Real Madrid's minute's silence for Diego Maradona, courtesy of Los Blancos' social-media team.

That's half time at San Siro, where Real Madrid lead 1-0 after a half in which they have played thoroughly decently. Inter have been rather less impressive, and find themselves down to 10 men to boot, thanks to Vidal's silly, silly red card.

As it stands, Madrid are going second in the group and will be one win away from qualification; Inter, meanwhile, will be on the verge of elimination.

Mariano forces De Vrij to gift the ball to Hazard, who is suddenly in acres of space to run at Inter. He feeds Odegaard, who plays a one-two with Vázquez before teeing up Modric... but the Croat drags his shot wide.

Two minutes of time added on.

Inter spend an age on the ball but do precious little with it, Lukaku finally gifting possession back to Real Madrid when he miscontrols.

An early goal to settle the nerves and their opponents talking themselves into nonsense red cards: Madrid couldn't really have hoped for a much better first half.

Real Madrid again get Mendy into crossing space on the left, but again the Frenchman's delivery is overhit.

Madrid have a golden opportunity to end their away hoodoo against Inter tonight and put themselves in pole position for a last-16 place

Hazard is the first Real Madrid player other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos to score a Champions League penalty since Kaká in 2009.

Inter are furiously appealing for a penalty after Vidal falls to the turf in the box under the joint challenge of Modric and Varane - and the Chilean takes his protests so far that he earns not one, but two yellow cards from Anthony Taylor! The hosts are down to 10!

It's utterly bizarre behaviour from Vidal. Having seen his penalty claims waved away by Taylor, that wasn't necessarily the end of the matter. VAR might have overturned the decision - but Vidal wasn't waiting for the video ref's verdict, and was immediately and excessively on top of the referee. A schoolboy dismissal.

Madrid are looking very confident on the ball. They again enjoy a prolonged spell of possession, popping it about before playing it to Kroos, who finds himself in prime position to test Handanovic - but he sends his shot high, wide and handsome.

That Hazard penalty was his first Champions League goal in three years, by the way.

Vázquez exchanges passes with Hazard and motors towards the byline, but his cross is deflected behind. The corner is cleared, but Madrid win it back quickly and come back at Inter.

Carvajal slips a neat little ball into Hazard in the right-hand channel, and the Belgian advances towards the box and thumps a shot towards the near post that Handanovic has to look alive to beat away.

Barella sends in a mightily dangerous ball towards the near post, and although Real Madrid deal with it, Vázquez then fouls Vidal on the egde of the box. 

Lukakau and Young stand over the free-kick... and the Belgian bends his shot well over.

Achraf tries to cross, but Mendy stand up well and blocks. He may lack that silky smooth touch in attack, but he doesn't half know how to defend, that lad.

Inter then come back at the visitors, Achraf laying the ball back to Vidal in space to shoot on the edge of the box, but the Chilean absolutely skies his effort.

Oh, Ferland, Ferland. Inter can't deal with the Real Madrid press and give it straight to Mendy 25 yards out from goal. The Frenchman plays a one-two with Hazard that releases him into shooting space on the left-hand side of the box, but he instead opts to cut back towards the penalty spot. However, he utterly thumps his pass and the arriving Vázquez can't connect with it.

Vázquez is again involved, twice sending in threatening crosses. The first is scrambled clear by a blue and black shirt; the second finds Mariano Díaz, but the striker can't get enough power on his header, and Handanovic collects. It's been an exceedingly decent start by the visitors.

Madrid hit the woodwork! So close to 2-0. Los Blancos come from defence and work it to Lucas Vázquez, who hits a pot shot from 20 yards or so - and Handanovic can only watch on as his effort pings back off the post!

Barella swings in a cross from the right, but it's far too close to Courtois, who will grab hold of those ones all day long.

Madrid yet to win at San Siro in 15 attempts

According to Spanish stats guru Mister Chip, Real Madrid have not won at San Siro - against either Inter or AC Milan - in 15 attempts. They've managed five draws and 10 defeats. Could be about to change...

Mister Chip also notes that Maradona never came away victorious from the stadium, either.

The next couple of minutes are all Real Madrid, who keep it for an absolute age before Odegaard slips a lovely little ball to, of all people, Nacho in shooting space in the box.

Just as he's about to pull the trigger, Nacho is felled by Bastoni - and Anthony Taylor points to the spot!

It's all Inter ball for the first couple of minutes. Lautaro Martínez gets to the byline and looks to send in a cross towards Romelu Lukaku, and Real Madrid get behind for a corner.

The corner on the left is finally worked out to former Madrid man Achraf Hakimi over on the other wing, but his ball into the box is overhit.

Peeep! Referee Anthony Taylor gets us underway at San Siro!

The teams are out, and after lining up for the Champions League anthem the players and match officials gather around the centre circle for a minute's silence for the late Diego Maradona.

Madrid through if they beat Inter and Shakhtar

It's finished 4-0 to Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany - and it's a result that means Real Madrid will be through to the last 16 if they win tonight and then beat Shakhtar Donetsk next time out.

Here's a brief guide to the Group B permutations: 

Gladbach giving Shakhtar a shellacking

Tonight's other fixture in Group B was one of the 18:55 CET kick-offs, so there are just 10 minutes or so to play between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk - and Gladbach are cruising to victory over the Ukrainians.

Marco Rose's men are 4-0 up and about to take charge of the group, by moving onto eight points.

Inter vs Real Madrid: how and where to watch

If you're still wondering how you can tune in to tonight's clash in Milan, you may wish to avail yourself of this useful how-and-where-to-watch guide:

What the coaches said:
 

Antonio Conte, Inter:

“For us it’s a cup final. We have no other option: we have to win. It’ll be a tough game, we know how good a team Real Madrid are; but we also know that if we want to, we can. We showed that in our first meeting with Madrid. We need at least seven points to qualify, and this match must serve to give us hope. Our group is the toughest in the Champions League and we have deserved more, but if the results haven’t come then we also have to look at what we can do better.”

Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid:

On Sergio Ramos’ absence and Real Madrid’s poor record in Champions League matches without their captain: “We know how important he is, but records are there to be broken. We’re going to try and change that run. There are three points at stake and we know that this is a cup final, given our position in the group. We’re raring to come away with those points.”

You heard the men: it's a cup final.

(Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea)

Pre-match stats (look away, Madridistas...)

Here are a pair of stats that are unlikely to fill Real Madrid fans with great optimism. Firstly, Los Blancos have never beaten Inter away from home: the sides' seven previous meetings in Milan have yielded five wins for the hosts, plus two draws.

Secondly, the absence of injured captain Sergio Ramos does not augur well for Madrid: they have lost seven of the last eight Champions League games in which they have been without the defender, who tweaked a hammy while on Spain duty earlier this month.

(Photo: Stefano Rellandini REUTERS)

Minute's silence before Inter vs Real Madrid

It has been confirmed that there will be a minute's silence before kick-off at San Siro as a mark of respect for Maradona. The players will also wear black armbands.

(Photo: El Grafico / Getty Images)

Football mourns the death of Diego Maradona

As you are probably aware by now, the football world is in mourning over the sad news that Argentina legend Diego Maradona has died at the age of 60.

You can follow live reaction to Maradona's death here: 

Real Madrid unchanged; Skriniar, De Vrij and Lautaro in for Inter

Despite Casemiro's return to contention after recovering from covid-19, Real Madrid are unchanged from the side that drew with Villarreal in LaLiga at the weekend. For the time being, the Brazilian will have to content himself with a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Inter boss Antonio Conte makes three changes to the team that beat Torino in Serie A, as Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij return in defence, and Alexis Sánchez makes way for Lautaro Martínez up top.

Real Madrid team news

Starting line-up: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Mendy, Kroos, Modric, Odegaard, Vázquez, Hazard, Mariano

Substitutes: Lunin, Altube, Asensio, Marcelo, Casemiro, Vinicius, Isco, Rodrygo, Chust, Duro

Inter team news

Starting line-up: Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni, Achraf, Barella, Gagliardini, Young, Vidal, Lautaro, Lukaku

Inter and Madrid both playing catch-up in Group B

After beating Inter last time out in Group B, Real Madrid come into matchday four in third, one point off leaders Borussia Mönchengladbach. While they would actually still be guaranteed to qualify with two wins after tonight even if they drew or lost to Inter, they would have some serious work on their hands to finish top.

Zidane will be mindful of the fact their second-placed finish in last season’s group stage left them with last-16 tie against Manchester City - who they lost to. Had they topped their section, they would have drawn one of Atalanta, Chelsea, Dortmund, Lyon, Napoli or Tottenham.

As for Inter, Antonio Conte’s side sit bottom at the halfway stage with just two points to their name, and need to get some wins on the board pronto.

Given it’s such a tight group, they won’t be completely out of it if they draw with Madrid this evening - but, realistically, anything other than three points and they'll be fast approaching goodnight-Vienna territory.

Inter vs Real Madrid: good evening!

Welcome to our live coverage of Inter vs Real Madrid in Champions League Group B, in what for Madrid is a really-rather-need-to-win, and what for the hosts is an absolutely-positively-must-win.

Kick-off in Milan is at 21:00 CET.