UCL: Real Madrid Snatch Dramatic Late Victory Over AEK

Real Madrid made it four consecutive wins in the Champions League after grinding out a hard-fought 3-2 away victory against Greek side AEK Athens. José Mourinho’s side twice found themselves behind but showed their trademark resilience to turn the game around. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé cancelled out strikes from Koita and Pilo, keeping the Spanish giants firmly among the tournament favourites.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Federico Valverde unleashed a thunderous strike from around 20 metres, firing the ball into the net to complete Madrid’s comeback and secure a dramatic 3-2 win.
2026-27, Champions League
AEK - Real 2:3 (1:1)
Goals: Koita A., 12 (1:0); Bellingham, 32 (1:1); Pilios, 75 (2:1); Mbappé, 78 (2:2); Valverde F., 92 (2:3)
AEK: Brignoli; Relvas; Pilios; Moukoudi H.; Rota; Arriaga; Majer L. (Zini, 53); Kairinen (Varga B., 60); Gacinovic (Marin R., 60); Jovic (Zubkov, 88); Koita A.
Substitution: Zini (from 53); Marin R. (from 60); Varga B. (from 60); Zubkov (from 88)
Bench: Strakosha; Lykogiannis; Vida; Vitalis; Mantalos
Yellow Cards: Arriaga 34
Real: Courtois; Dumfries; Cucurella (Diaz Br., 82); Militão; Rudiger; Camavinga; Bernardo Silva (Endrick, 67); Diomande Y. (Valverde F., 67); Bellingham (Espi, 86); Vinícius Júnior (Carreras, 82); Mbappé
Substitution: Valverde F. (from 67); Endrick (from 67); Carreras (from 82); Diaz Br. (from 82); Espi (from 86)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Alexander-Arnold; Konate; Huijsen; Pitarch; Martínez S.
Yellow Cards: Cucurella 66
