Real Madrid produced another remarkable Champions League comeback on Wednesday night, recovering from two setbacks to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over AEK Athens, with Federico Valverde delivering a stunning 92nd-minute winner at the Allwyn Arena.
The Spanish giants looked destined to drop points after twice falling behind against a determined AEK side, but goals from Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and a spectacular late strike from Valverde maintained their perfect start to the competition.
AEK made an impressive start and stunned the visitors by taking the lead in the 12th minute. Aboubakary Koita finished from inside the penalty area with a left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner after being set up by Luka Jovic, giving the Greek side an early advantage.
Real Madrid attempted to respond through their attacking players, but AEK remained dangerous on the counterattack. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced into an important save in the 17th minute, stretching to deny Jovic from inside the penalty area and prevent the hosts from doubling their advantage.
Madrid gradually grew into the contest and eventually found their breakthrough in the 32nd minute. Marc Cucurella delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, allowing Bellingham to produce an elegant backheel finish that beat goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli and restored parity.
The England international’s goal shifted the momentum towards the visitors, who began to dominate possession and push AEK deeper into their own half.
Madrid nearly completed the turnaround before the interval when Bernardo Silva connected with a header, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
The visitors continued their pressure after the restart, with Eder Militao testing Brignoli from distance in the 49th minute. The AEK goalkeeper reacted well, using his fists to keep out the defender’s powerful attempt.
Six minutes later, Madrid came agonisingly close to taking the lead. Kylian Mbappe produced an impressive individual run into the penalty area before the ball fell invitingly for Cucurella. However, AEK defender Lazaros Rota made a crucial goal-line intervention to prevent what looked like a certain goal.
Despite Madrid’s growing dominance, AEK refused to surrender and delivered another blow in the 75th minute.
Koita turned provider this time, setting up Stavros Pilios during a quick counterattack. The midfielder finished with a left-footed effort from the centre of the penalty area, beating Courtois to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
However, Madrid’s response was immediate.
Just three minutes later, Denzel Dumfries delivered a dangerous low cross from the right, and Mbappe was perfectly positioned to turn the ball into the bottom-left corner from close range, restoring parity at 2-2 in the 78th minute.
The French forward continued to threaten and nearly completed the comeback himself in the 86th minute. After being played through by substitute Endrick, Mbappe found himself one-on-one with Brignoli, but the goalkeeper produced an excellent save before the ball crashed against the crossbar.
It was a massive let-off for AEK, who were beginning to struggle under Madrid’s relentless pressure.
With the contest approaching its conclusion, Valverde stepped forward to deliver the decisive moment.
The Real Madrid captain, who had entered the match as a substitute in the 67th minute, collected a pass from Brahim Diaz outside the penalty area before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike into the top-right corner in the 92nd minute.
Brignoli had little chance of stopping the effort as the ball flew beyond his reach, completing another extraordinary Champions League comeback for the Spanish giants.
The drama was not over, however, as Koita received a straight red card in the 95th minute, compounding AEK’s disappointment after their late collapse.
The victory extended Real Madrid’s perfect record in the Champions League to four wins from four matches, taking their tally to 12 points and keeping them firmly among the leading contenders in the competition.
For AEK Athens, it was a painful defeat after twice threatening to produce a memorable upset. For Madrid, however, it was another reminder of their remarkable ability to find solutions when the pressure is at its highest.
