(CNN) -- Jose Mourinho's quest to become the first coach to win Europe's Champions League with three different clubs got off to a winning start as Real Madrid beat Ajax 2-0 in their opening group game on Wednesday, while Arsenal thrashed Braga 6-0.
Charismatic Portuguese coach Mourinho inspired Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 and repeated the feat with Inter Milan last season, delivering the Italian club's first triumph in the competition since 1965.
He was hired by Real in June with the brief of breaking Barcelona's grip on the Spanish league title and landing the club's first Champions League trophy since 2002, and 10th in total.
Opening their campaign at home in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Real took the lead against four-time winners Ajax when Vurnon Anita bundled a corner into his own net under pressure from Gonzalo Higuain.
The Spaniards struggled to make their dominance tell until the 73rd minute when Higuain followed up Mesut Ozil's shot and turned the ball into an empty net.
CNN
