flag
back Back
Valverde scores stoppage-time winner as Madrid avoid upset in Athens

Federico Valverde scored a superb stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid avoided an upset at AEK Athens to maintain their 100% record in this season’s Champions League.

The visitors trailed with 15 minutes to go, but Kylian Mbappe levelled before Valverde thundered in a long-range strike to seal the three points.

The 15-time European champions arrived in Greece looking to make it four wins from four in the league phase, but fell behind early when Aboubakary Koita drove in a powerful finish.

Jude Bellingham produced an outrageous bit of skill to put Real Madrid ahead in the 32nd minute, back-heeling a ball across the face of goal into the net.

That goal meant that at 23 years and 128 days he became the youngest player to score in seven successive Champions League seasons, surpassing teammate Mbappe.

But AEK Athens kept plugging away for a second goal, and it arrived 15 minutes later.

Stavros Pilios first made a goal-saving block to deny Mbappe, then raced up the length of the pitch to finish off an attack with a near-post finish.

That looked set to give AEK Athens a famous win, but Mbappe levelled three minutes later from Denzel Dumfries’ ball, before Valverde’s dramatic late strike completed Real Madrid’s comeback win.

Koita was sent off for AEK Athens after the final whistle as the hosts’ frustrations at the result bubbled over.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

You may like

Samuel Umtiti Speaks On Vinicius as Former Players Question Real Madrid's Form: ' I feel sorry fo...

Fofananews 5 hours ago

Final Champions League Table After The End Of Matchday4

Iyke_Ophical 8 hours ago

ECL: Yohanna Missing As Brighton Pip Getafe

completesports.com 43 minutes ago

Valverde’s wife breaks her silence to defend Owono after tragedy

en.africatopsports.com 15 hours ago

Another ‘miracle’ in Istanbul – but this one hurt Liverpool

ghananewss.com 55 minutes ago

Confirmed World Cup Final Fixture After Nigeria Defeated South American Giant 3-1

Mr_Unique 14 hours ago

Premier League: Are Refereeing Mistakes Threatening the Integrity of English Football?

lordCaeser 9 hours ago

James Ward-Prowse has work to do to reclaim his Southampton free-kick crown

livescore.com 7 hours ago

Crystal Palace 1-1 Hoffenheim Kamada Rescues Point After Wharton Red Card

Waskco 4 hours ago