AEK Athens 2–3 Real Madrid: Mourinho’s Side Fight Back Twice to Claim Late Victory

Real Madrid produced another dramatic comeback in the UEFA Champions League, defeating AEK Athens 3–2 despite falling behind twice. Federico Valverde proved to be the hero, scoring a stunning long-range winner in the second minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Making their return to the Champions League after seven seasons, the Greek hosts started brightly and immediately put Madrid under pressure. Thibaut Courtois denied Mijat Gacinovic’s effort in the fifth minute, but he could do nothing to prevent AEK from taking the lead seven minutes later. Aboubakari Koita collected Luka Jovic’s pass before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box.

AEK continued to threaten Madrid throughout the first half, forcing Courtois into another important save against Jovic. However, Real found their equaliser in the 32nd minute. Jude Bellingham met Marc Cucurella’s delivery from the left with a clever flick that sent the ball into the net. It was the English midfielder’s first Champions League goal of the season.

Madrid thought they had scored again before the break, but Bellingham’s second effort was ruled out for offside.

Despite enjoying greater possession and attacking pressure after the interval, Madrid fell behind once more in the 75th minute. Stavros Pilios collected Koita’s pass, drove into the penalty area and beat Courtois with a low finish.

The hosts' advantage lasted just three minutes. In the 78th minute, Denzel Dumfries advanced down the right after receiving a pass from Bellingham. His delivery found Kylian Mbappe, who finished from close range to make it 2–2.

The goal extended Mbappe’s scoring streak to six consecutive Champions League matches, the longest such run of his career in the competition. He also reached 100 Champions League goal contributions in just 102 appearances, with only Lionel Messi achieving the milestone faster, in 101 matches. Robert Lewandowski has also recorded 100 goal contributions in 102 appearances, with 74 goals and 26 assists.

Both sides pushed hard for a winner during the closing stages. Mbappe came agonisingly close in the 86th minute, but his effort struck the crossbar.

Just when a draw seemed likely, substitute Federico Valverde delivered the decisive moment. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Uruguayan midfielder unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance and completing Real Madrid’s comeback.

The victory maintained Real Madrid’s perfect record in this season’s Champions League campaign. Four wins from four matches have taken Mourinho’s side to 12 points. They have also now won seven consecutive matches across all competitions.

For AEK Athens, twice taking the lead against European giants Real Madrid was an impressive achievement, but Valverde’s late strike denied the Greek side a memorable result.