Real Madrid Fight Back From Two Down to Edge Roma as Rudiger Nets Late Winner

Rudiger the hero as Real Madrid comeback stuns Roma

Jude Bellingham, Mbappe and Endrick inspired Real Madrid's comeback as Los Blancos beat Roma 4-3 to make it 20 wins in 22 UCL games vs Italian sides.

Rudiger decides seven-goal epic as Real Madrid fight back to beat Roma...

Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to claim a 4-3 victory over AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the Champions League, extending the Italian side's winless streak in Europe to five games.

Jose Mourinho made his return to a city where he remains revered after leading Roma to Conference League glory four years ago, as Los Blancos aimed to improve their inconsistent form on the road this season.

Dybala won the ball back in midfield in a move that ended with Soule setting up Marten de Roon for a deflected long-range strike that flew past Courtois.

Jude Bellingham came close to turning the game on its head in first-half stoppage time, firing wide from Vinicius Junior's cross at the end of an entertaining opening period.

Malen came agonisingly close to doubling Roma's lead when his shot almost squirmed under Courtois, but it was Real who struck next through Kylian Mbappe.

The France captain marked his 100th Champions League appearance with a goal, as his deflected effort looped over Pierluigi Gollini.

However, Real failed to build on that chance and were punished by Malen following a costly defensive error just six minutes after the restart.

Courtois' pass to Vinicius Jr. was intercepted, and substitute Rodrigo Mora set up Malen for a close-range finish that took a nick off Federico Valverde before finding the near post.

However, Los Blancos halved the deficit in the 83rd minute when Carlos Espi applied a poacher’s finish on the rebound after Gollini could only parry Endrick’s initial header into his path.

The Brazilian then restored parity two minutes later with a fine header from Guler’s corner, leaving Roma on the ropes.

Malen then made it 3-0 with a goal of alarming simplicity from Real's point of view, as Soule's through ball completely cut open their defence and allowed the Dutchman to finish emphatically.

The visitors thought they had given Roma a taste of their own medicine when Yan Diomande's routine through ball split the defence and allowed Mbappe to slot home, only for the assistant referee's flag to spare their blushes.

However, Los Blancos halved the deficit in the 83rd minute when Carlos Espi reacted quickest on the rebound after Gollini could only parry Endrick's initial header into his path.

The Brazilian then restored parity two minutes later with a fine header from Arda Guler's corner, leaving Roma reeling.

Madness in Rome 🤯 Real Madrid fight back to win 💪 #UCL https://t.co/nr0wlMyPFN

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 14, 2026

And Guler's corners continued to torment the Giallorossi backline, producing a remarkable winner as Antonio Rudiger fired home from another precise delivery to complete the turnaround.

Momentum Shift

It would have seemed scarcely believable with 83 minutes on the clock, but Real somehow took all three points and secured a 20th win from their last 22 Champions League games against Italian sides.

Endrick POTM 🏆 #UCL https://t.co/WoPPM8TRZd

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 14, 2026

Meanwhile, the result leaves Roma with four defeats from their last six European home matches, a sobering night for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.

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