Mourinho hails Real Madrid’s late winner and dismisses Mbappe penalty controversy

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho said his side’s ability to win in the final moments is unique after their dramatic 3-2 victory over AEK Athens in the Champions League.

Federico Valverde scored in the 92nd minute to complete Real Madrid’s comeback and secure a seventh consecutive win in all competitions. The result leaves them with a perfect 12 points from four matches in the league phase, level with Paris Saint-Germain, while AEK Athens remain on three points.

“These are the matches that only Real Madrid can win in the final minutes,” Mourinho said at his post-match news conference. “We have the courage and belief to do it, and the players have a strong character.”

He added: “Of course, I would prefer us to win more calmly, but we keep fighting until the end. At 2-2, we did not accept the draw, even though it would have been an acceptable result. We decided to take a risk to win.”

AEK Athens took the lead through Aboubakary Koita in the 12th minute. Jude Bellingham then had a goal ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee in the 28th minute, before equalising four minutes later with an impressive back-heel from Marc Cucurella’s cross.

Stavros Pillo restored the visitors’ advantage in the 75th minute with a low shot that went between Thibaut Courtois’ legs, but Kylian Mbappe levelled three minutes later after a low cross from Denzel Dumfries.

Substitute Valverde settled the match with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area.

Mourinho said AEK Athens had produced an exceptional performance, despite eventually losing.

“I saw AEK Athens at their best,” he said. “They played a great match and performed above their usual level. We had studied many of their games, but they produced their best performance against us, with physical strength, pressing, and success in duels and second balls.”

He said Real Madrid had struggled to start because of their opponents’ intensity but showed character when under pressure.

“In the end, the team with the greater individual quality decided the match,” Mourinho added.

The manager also expressed sympathy for Endrick, whose playing time has been limited, saying the form of players given fewer opportunities showed he had “a strong squad”.

Mourinho defended Vinicius Junior, who he said “did not cause anything”, and explained that Diomande had joined Real Madrid to play on either flank. He described Diomande’s display as acceptable rather than outstanding, while saying Vinicius had performed “very well”.

Vinicius was replaced because Mourinho was considering both the result and the next match against Valencia. Marc Cucurella was on a booking, Alvaro Carreras was physically fresh and Brahim Diaz could move into central areas, he said.

Mourinho also addressed the penalty awarded to Mbappe against Racing Santander after a refereeing review committee ruled it should not have been given.

“For me, it was a small penalty,” he said. “I admit that. If the referee awarded one like that against me, I would not be happy.”

However, he insisted the decision had not affected the outcome. Without the penalty, Real Madrid would have won by three, four or five goals, he said, adding that the match was never in doubt.

Real Madrid host PSV Eindhoven on 24 November, while AEK Athens visit Como on the same day. Real Madrid have not dropped a point in any competition since losing to Atletico Madrid in the league on 20 September.