Jose Mourinho’s side twice came from behind against the Greek champions before Valverde claimed all three points for his side, level with holders Paris Saint-Germain on four wins from four league phase games. Federico Valverde lashed home a stunning effort from distance to snatch Real Madrid a late 3-2 victory at AEK Athens on Wednesday in the Champions League and preserve their 100 percent start. Aboubakary Koita sent AEK ahead after 12 minutes and Jude Bellingham equalised with a sublime flick for the record 15-time winners.
Kylian Mbappe fired over and Bellingham netted from close range but was shown to be offside. Moments later the England international scored again and nobody could deny him this one. Brignoli pushed away Eder Militao’s long-range effort early in the second half and Lazaros Rota blocked superbly to deny the heavily-involved Cucurella.
Stavros Pilios sent the Greek champions ahead with 15 minutes to go but Kylian Mbappe swiftly pulled Madrid level once again, setting the stage for Valverde’s late winner.
“Fede has that capability… (but) I didn’t ask him to shoot,” Mourinho told Movistar about his match-winner, who came on in the second half. “We fought for (the victory), and with the score at 2–2 we didn’t settle,” added Mourinho.
AEK reclaimed the lead in the 75th minute when the impressive Koita gently nudged the ball into Pilios’s path and the Albania international finished through Courtois’s legs from close range. It was Mbappe’s fourth goal in four Champions League games this season, netting once in each, and his 16th across all competitions. Madrid substitute Endrick sent Mbappe through on goal with five minutes remaining but Brignoli produced a sensational save to tip his strike against the crossbar.
