Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over AEK Athens in their UEFA Champions League, league phase matchday 4, encounter on Wednesday. The victory preserved their perfect record, with four wins from four games, matching holders Paris Saint-Germain. The match at the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens was marked by comebacks from both teams, with AEK Athens taking the lead twice, only for Real Madrid to equalize and ultimately snatch the win.
The host team, AEK Athens, started strongly and took the lead through Aboubakary Koita in the 12th minute. The Mauritanian winger shifted past Marc Cucurella and scored at the near post, catching out Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, Real Madrid began to take control of the game as AEK Athens started to tire. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham had efforts on goal, with Bellingham eventually scoring a sublime equalizer.
Bellingham's equalizer was a brilliant flicked finish to beat goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli, following a low cross from Cucurella. Before the interval, Real Madrid continued to press, with Cucurella testing Brignoli and Bernardo Silva nodding off-target. The visitors took control of the game, but AEK Athens remained a threat, particularly through former Los Blancos striker Luka Jovic, who was saved against by Courtois.
In the second half, AEK Athens regained the lead in the 75th minute through Stavros Pilios, who finished through Courtois's legs from close range. However, Real Madrid quickly responded, with Bellingham playing Denzel Dumfries down the right, and Mbappe scoring the equalizer. This was Mbappe's fourth goal in four Champions League games this season and his 16th across all competitions.
As the match entered its final stages, both teams pushed for a winner. Real Madrid substitute Endrick sent Mbappe through on goal, but Brignoli produced a sensational save to tip his strike against the crossbar. However, Federico Valverde refused to give up on the three points and lashed home a stunning effort from distance in the 92nd minute to secure the win.
Valverde's match-winning goal was praised by Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who revealed that he had instructed Valverde to attack the space and arrive in dangerous areas. Valverde expressed gratitude to his teammates for backing him when he gets the chance to shoot, saying that they give him the confidence to make the decision and have the courage to hit it.
The win marked Real Madrid's seventh straight victory across all competitions. Despite the challenging encounter, Mourinho emphasized that his team had fought for the victory and were not satisfied with a draw, which would have taken them to 10 points. The result keeps Real Madrid perfect in the Champions League, with AEK Athens ending their campaign.
Key points
- Real Madrid preserved their 100 percent start in the Champions League with a late 3-2 victory at AEK Athens.
- Federico Valverde scored a stunning late winner for Real Madrid.
- The win marked Real Madrid's seventh straight victory across all competitions.
