Real Madrid Come From Behind Twice To Sink AEK In Champions League Classic
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| Valverde's late stunner seals Real Madrid comeback win over AEK Athens |
Twice behind and heading for defeat, Real Madrid produced another late show as Federico Valverde's long-range stunner snatched a 3-2 Champions League win at AEK Athens.
Valverde scores late winner as Real Madrid complete comeback win over AEK Athens...
Federico Valverde struck a superb winner in the 92nd minute as Real Madrid fought back twice to defeat AEK Athens 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League, ending the hosts' seven-game winning run at home in all competitions.
AEK Athens are usually tough to beat at home in Europe, but facing 15-time champions Real Madrid was a major test of their quality. They showed no fear, though, and carved out the first clear chance when Lovro Majer drove down the left and pulled the ball back for Mijat Gacinovic, whose low left-footed effort was kept out by the feet of Thibaut Courtois.
The Greek side turned their early pressure into a goal, as Aboubakary Koita cut inside onto his left foot on the edge of the box and blasted a shot past Courtois at his near post.
Former Madrid striker Luka Jovic almost doubled the lead when his low drive forced Courtois into another save, but the hosts were lucky to still be ahead at the half-hour mark. Vinicius Junior sent back a loose ball from a half-cleared Madrid corner, and Jude Bellingham turned it into the corner from a marginally offside position.
That was only a brief escape, though, as Bellingham marked his 60th Champions League appearance with a goal, cleverly flicking in a cross to find the bottom corner.
Despite soaking up huge pressure, the Greek side stuck to their approach and got the reward their defending deserved 15 minutes from time, when Stavros Pilios, who also scored against Manchester City on matchday three, charged forward from full-back and swept home Koita's pull-back.
Their joy did not last long, less than three minutes in fact, as Mbappe got his usual goal when he arrived at the far post to tap in Denzel Dumfries' delivery and score in a sixth straight Champions League appearance.
Madrid were pushing late for a winner, and they almost got it when Mbappe saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Brignoli.
Valverde's special stoppage-time strike wins all three points 🍿 #UCL https://t.co/NMDkneUHV2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 4, 2026
Their pressure finally paid off in stoppage time, though, when Valverde unleashed a shot from 25 yards and watched with delight as it nestled in the corner to snatch victory and seal a seventh straight win for Jose Mourinho's men.
The name's Jude. Jude Bellingham 🌟 https://t.co/ugc980JzIH
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 4, 2026
Los Blancos have now won all four of their Champions League games this season, while AEK's misery was made worse by a late red card for Koita for dissent.
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