Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid side avoided a major Champions League upset by securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over AEK Athens, thanks to Federico Valverde’s injury-time winner. The result maintained Madrid’s perfect record in the tournament with four wins from four matches and extended their winning run across all competitions to seven games.
Early Drama and AEK’s Breakthrough
The visiting team faced early pressure when Thibaut Courtois had to use his legs to deny Mijat Gaćinović after a swift fifth-minute counter-attack by the hosts. Courtois was beaten 12 minutes into the match when Aboubakary Koita dribbled into the penalty area and drove an unstoppable left-footed shot into the top-right corner to give AEK the lead. Courtois subsequently made a crucial save to stop former Madrid player Luka Jović from extending the advantage.
Jude Bellingham thought he had equalized shortly after, but his goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review. However, Bellingham leveled the score moments later with an impressive flicked finish from Marc Cucurella’s low cross on the left wing. Cucurella nearly put Madrid ahead before halftime, but Alberto Brignoli made a sharp save to keep the scores level.
Late Twists and Valverde’s Winner
Brignoli kept AEK level early in the second half by stopping a dipping effort from Eder Militao, while Kylian Mbappe missed a clear opportunity by firing narrowly wide. AEK capitalized on Madrid’s missed chances when Stavros Pilos, who had earlier blocked an Mbappe shot, combined with Koita on a counter-attack and fired a low shot under Courtois at the near post to put the hosts ahead 15 minutes before the end of normal time.
Madrid responded quickly as Bellingham released Denzel Dumfries down the right side to cross for Mbappe, who tapped in from close range to equalize. Brignoli produced another brilliant save to tip a fierce Mbappe strike onto the crossbar, but he could not stop Valverde from unleashing a swerving drive into the far corner during stoppage time to seal the 3-2 victory.
