Federico Valverde’s added-time goal gave Real Madrid a 3-2 Champions League victory at AEK Athens. The hosts led twice, through Aboubakary Koita and Stavros Pilios, but Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé brought Madrid level. Valverde’s late strike completed the turnaround, extending the Spanish club’s winning start to the league phase to four matches.
Sports··Morning
Valverde decides the match in added time
Real Madrid came from behind twice to beat Greek club AEK Athens 3-2 away in the Champions League. Captain Federico Valverde scored the winning goal in added time. Aboubakary Koita and Stavros Pilios had each put the hosts ahead, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé supplying Madrid’s equalisers before the late winner completed the turnaround.[1], [2]
Bellingham’s first-half equaliser came from Marc Cucurella’s cross. The England midfielder described the finish as instinctive, saying the delivery found him in a good position. Mbappé’s close-range finish brought Madrid level for the second time. The French forward has now scored in six successive Champions League appearances. Madrid won all four opening league-phase matches and reached 12 points.[1]
Bellingham receives the match award
The technical observers of UEFA, European football’s governing body, named Bellingham Player of the Match. They highlighted the equaliser that kept Madrid in the contest and his role in initiating the move for the second equaliser. Bellingham said AEK posed threats with and without the ball, combining physical strength with the ability to make the away side uncomfortable.[1]
Madrid coach José Mourinho praised AEK’s intensity from the opening minute. He said the hosts had won duels, collected first and second balls and remained dangerous on the counterattack. Having analysed several AEK matches beforehand, Mourinho considered this their best performance of the season. He also credited his own players’ courage in the closing minutes and the quality available to him.[1]
AEK express pride and disappointment
AEK coach Marko Nikolić said his reaction combined pride in the performance with sadness at the way the match was lost. He stressed that his players wanted to win even against Real Madrid. Nikolić pointed to a demanding draw that also includes Manchester City, Como, Roma, Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray, and described this display as a foundation for subsequent matches.[1]
Defender Lazaros Rota said AEK needed points, including a possible draw against a major European opponent. He attributed the outcome to a lapse in concentration after the team had given everything. Rota urged his side to retain the positive aspects of their play and use the performance as a benchmark, while acknowledging that different opponents create different demands.[1]
