Real Madrid maintain perfect Champions League start after late Valverde winner in Athens

Real Madrid preserved their perfect record in the Champions League with a dramatic 3-2 victory at AEK Athens on Wednesday, recovering from behind twice before Federico Valverde struck in stoppage time.

The Spanish side had to respond after falling behind in both halves, but eventually secured a fourth win from four matches in the league phase. They are now the second team to take maximum points from their opening four games, joining Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.

AEK Athens remain on three points and sit 30th in the standings.

The result also extended Real Madrid’s winning run to seven matches since their defeat in the Madrid derby. Four of those victories have come in the league and three in the Champions League.

Real Madrid had previously failed to win at AEK Athens in their first two visits in all competitions, drawing one and losing the other. The Greek club also suffered their first home defeat by a Spanish side in the Champions League, according to the competition’s official website.

It was only Real Madrid’s second victory in nine European matches in Greece. They have drawn five and lost two of the other eight games.

AEK make fast start before Bellingham responds

AEK Athens began aggressively and took the lead after 12 minutes. Aboubakari Koita collected the ball inside the penalty area and fired a powerful shot beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid appeared to equalise in the 28th minute when Vinicius Junior struck firmly, but the goal was disallowed because Jude Bellingham was judged to be offside while attempting to follow up the effort.

Bellingham made amends four minutes later with an outstanding finish. The England midfielder met a cross from Marc Cucurella and scored with a deft backheel to restore parity.

Mbappe levels before Valverde decides contest

Real Madrid increased the pressure after the interval as they searched for another comeback, but AEK continued to threaten in the spaces left behind by the visitors’ advancing players.

The home side regained the lead in the 75th minute through Stavros Pelios, who finished from Koita’s pass after the forward had earlier scored the opener.

Their advantage lasted only three minutes. Kylian Mbappe brought Real Madrid level again after Denzel Dumfries delivered a precise low cross into the area.

With Real Madrid seemingly set to record their first draw of the season in all competitions, substitute captain Valverde produced the decisive moment.

The Uruguay international unleashed a fierce effort in second-half stoppage time. The shot deceived the goalkeeper before nestling in the net, completing another late Real Madrid comeback and sealing all three points.