Koita matches Mido’s rare Champions League feat against Real Madrid

Mauritanian forward Aboubakary Koita has become only the second Arab player to score his country’s first-ever goal in the UEFA Champions League, joining Ahmed Hossam “Mido” after finding the net for AEK Athens against Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old scored AEK Athens’ goal against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening in the fourth round of the competition’s league phase. His strike was also the first goal scored by a Mauritanian player in the history of the Champions League.

According to statistics compiled by MisterChip, Mauritania is among a select group of nations whose first goal in the competition was scored against Real Madrid. The list includes six nationalities, with Koita the latest player to achieve the feat.

Mido was the first Egyptian to score in the Champions League when he struck against Real Madrid while playing for Marseille in 2003. Koita has now become the second Arab player to open his country’s scoring record in the competition, 23 years later.

Four other players had previously scored their nations’ first Champions League goals against Real Madrid.

Igor Cherevchenko achieved the feat for Tajikistan with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2001. Costa Rica’s first goal in the competition was scored by Centeno, who was playing for AEK Athens, in 2002.

Latvia reached the milestone through Verpakovskis, then of Dynamo Kyiv, in 2004. Luxembourg’s first Champions League goal against Real Madrid came from Thill, playing for Sheriff Tiraspol, in 2021.

The statistic also highlights a link with AEK Athens. Two players who scored their countries’ first goals in the Champions League against Real Madrid have represented the Greek club: Centeno in 2002 and Koita in 2026.

Koita’s goal came during AEK Athens’ meeting with Real Madrid in the league phase. The source’s fixture listings also include Valencia and Real Madrid in La Liga on 07 November 2026, plus AEK Athens against Levadiakos in the Greek Super League on 08 November 2026.