Valverde’s late winner breaks AEK Athens hearts as Real Madrid twice come from behind

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% start in the group phase.

José Mourinho’s side twice came from behind against the Greek champions before Valverde claimed all three points for his side.

Aboubakary Koïta sent AEK ahead after 12 minutes before Jude Bellingham equalised with a sublime flick for the record 15-time winners.

Stavros Pilios sent the Greek champions ahead with 15 minutes to go but Kylian Mbappé swiftly pulled Madrid level once again, setting the stage for Valverde’s late winner.

Madrid have now won seven straight games across all competitions.

Mourinho started with Vinícius Júnior on the left flank, after he missed the team’s previous two La Liga matches through suspension.

The hosts started with huge energy at the Agia Sophia Stadium and it was not overly surprising when they took an early lead. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved well from former Los Blancos striker Luka Jovic before Koïta sent AEK ahead.

The Mauritanian winger shifted cleverly inside Marc Cucurella and thumped home at the near post, catching out Courtois.

The Belgiun goalkeeper saved again from Jovic as AEK tried to make their strong start count. However they inevitably began to tire and Madrid began to take the reins in the Greek capital.

Mbappé fired over and Bellingham netted from close range but was shown to be offside. But moments later the England international scored again and nobody could deny him that one. Cucurella fired in a low cross and Bellingham produced a brilliant flicked finish to beat goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli.

Former Chelsea defender Cucurella tested Brignoli and Bernardo Silva nodded off-target before the interval as Mourinho’s team controlled the game.

Brignoli pushed away Éder Militão’s long-range effort early in the second half and Lazaros Rota blocked superbly to deny the heavily-involved Cucurella.

Mbappe bent a shot narrowly wide of the top corner with Italian stopper Brignoli at full stretch. The France forward was frustrated by the AEK defence when Vinícius turned sharply and found him with a high pass, but the striker’s shot was blocked.

AEK reclaimed the lead in the 75th minute when the impressive Koïta gently nudged the ball into Pilios’s path and the Albania international finished through Courtois’s legs from close range.

Madrid immediately responded with Bellingham playing Denzel Dumfries in down the right. The Netherlands defender rolled a low ball across the six-yard box and this time Mbappé was able to finish. It was the Frenchman’s fourth goal in four Champions League games this season, and his 16th across all competitions.

Madrid substitute Endrick sent Mbappé through on goal with five minutes remaining but Brignoli produced a sensational save to tip his strike against the crossbar.

However, Valverde refused to give up on the three points and in the 92nd minute he lashed home across Brignoli to keep up Madrid’s perfect record.