Champions League: Federico Valverde scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to hand Real Madrid a thrilling 3-2 victory away against AEK Athens, maintaining their perfect start to the European campaign.
Real Madrid had to come from behind twice during the match to secure the three points, leaving them second in the table with 12 points from four matches, sitting just behind Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference.
How the Match Unfolded
AEK Athens came out firing from the opening whistle, and their early pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Aboubakary Koita cut inside from the edge of the box and unleashed a stunning shot into the top corner.
Real Madrid fought back after Thibaut Courtois denied former striker Luka Jovic. Following a disallowed goal for offside, Jude Bellingham levelled the score in the 32nd minute with a clever backheel finish from Marc Cucurella’s low cross.
The hosts stunned Real Madrid once again in the 75th minute. A powerful driving run and pass from Koita set up Stavros Pilios, whose low shot squeezed through Courtois’ legs to restore AEK’s lead.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed incredible resilience. Kylian Mbappe tapped in an equaliser from Denzel Dumfries’ cross just three minutes later, before Federico Valverde completed the comeback with a clutch winner deep into stoppage time. The defeat leaves AEK Athens 29th in the standings with three points.
Player Ratings
AEK Athens
- Brignoli: 7.2
- Rota: 5.9
- Moukoudi: 6.0
- Relvas: 5.5
- Pilios: 7.0
- Koïta: 7.6
- Arriaga: 6.7
- Kairinen: 6.1
- Majer: 7.2
- Gaćinović: 7.2
- Jović: 7.2
- Substitutes: Zine – 7.0, Marin – 6.0, Varga – 6.3, Zubkov – NA
Real Madrid
- Mbappé: 8.3
- Vinicius: 6.8
- Bellingham: 8.6
- Diomande: 7.6
- Camavinga: 8.1
- Silva: 7.8
- Cucurella: 8.1
- Rüdiger: 6.9
- Militao: 7.5
- Dumfries: 7.2
- Courtois: 6.1
- Substitutes: Valverde – 8.0, Endrick – 6.4, Brahim Díaz – NA, Carreras – NA, Espí – NA
