Mbappé brothers Kylian and Ethan make early mark in Champions League for Real Madrid and Lille

Updated Sep. 8, 2026 4:46 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — The Mbappés quickly made a mark for their clubs in the Champions League on Tuesday, before little brother Ethan playing for Lille got a red card for elbowing an opponent in the face.

The sending off came in the 56th minute when Lille trailed 3-2 at home to Real Betis, while big brother Kylian helped Real Madrid lead 2-0 against Inter Milan.

Ethan Mbappe's evening had started well with a precise assist that helped lift Lille into a 12th-minute lead just minutes before Kylian opened the scoring in Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe helped win possession from Inter deep in the Italians’ half then stretched to shoot a first timer low into the goal in the 14th minute.

At age 27, Mbappé is playing in his 99th career Champions League game Tuesday and scored his 71st goal.

Now aged 19, Ethan Mbappé made his Champions League debut in January 2025 when Lille last played in the competition. He was injured and could not play when Lille hosted Madrid and his big brother earlier in that season, which was the first for each at their current clubs after both left Paris Saint-Germain.

Tuesday’s game in Lille is just Ethan Mbappé's third Champions League game and his second start.

Mbappé was sent off after a video review by the match officials. They spotted he had raised his right elbow to the face of Betis defender Natan passing behind him in an off-the-ball clash.

Mbappé caressed a left-footed cross to the far post where Japan forward Ayase Ueda was standing almost on the goal line by the time the ball arrived on his head.

Ueda also scored with a leaping header at the World Cup for his second goal in Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia in the group stage.