Real Madrid kept their flawless Champions League start alive on Wednesday night, as Federico Valverde struck in the second minute of stoppage time to beat AEK Athens 3-2, according to Naija News. The Spanish side had to recover from behind twice against the Greek champions.
The result gives Madrid four wins from four games in the league phase, level with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on the same record. It also stretched their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
AEK strike first
AEK began brightly and went ahead in the 12th minute. Mauritanian winger Aboubakary Koita drifted inside past Marc Cucurella and beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the near post. Courtois had also stopped a chance from Luka Jovic, a former Real Madrid striker, as the hosts kept up the pressure.
Madrid slowly took charge and levelled through Jude Bellingham, who flicked in Cucurella's low cross to beat AEK goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli. Cucurella and Bernardo Silva both went close before the interval.
Second half twists
Madrid, who are coached by Jose Mourinho according to the report, made several chances after the restart, but Brignoli kept the scores level. Kylian Mbappe had an effort that narrowly missed the target.
AEK looked on course for a famous win when Stavros Pilios put them back in front in the 75th minute, finishing from close range after Koita set him up. Madrid hit back almost straight away. Bellingham sent Denzel Dumfries down the right, and his low cross into the six-yard box let Mbappe equalise at 2-2.
It was Mbappe's fourth goal in four Champions League games this season, so he has scored in every match. His tally for all competitions is now 16.
Valverde settles it
Substitute Endrick nearly won it with five minutes left, sending Mbappe through, but Brignoli saved well and the effort hit the crossbar. A draw looked likely until Uruguay international Valverde fired a powerful shot from outside the box across Brignoli in stoppage time to complete the comeback.
- Based on reporting byNaija News: Real Madrid Fight Back Twice To Beat AEK Athens 3-2
