Real Madrid edge AEK Athens in thriller to make it seven straight wins

Real Madrid came from behind twice to beat AEK Athens 3-2 with a late winner from Federico Valverde, extending their winning run to seven matches in all competitions under Jose Mourinho.

Valverde struck in the 92nd minute with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area to secure three points in a dramatic Champions League league-phase encounter.

The result leaves Real Madrid with a perfect record after four rounds. They have 12 points, level with Paris Saint-Germain, while AEK Athens remain on three points.

AEK Athens made the stronger start and took the lead in the 12th minute through Abu Bakari Koita. Real Madrid appeared to have equalised when Jude Bellingham found the net in the 28th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a video assistant referee review.

Bellingham did not have to wait long for a valid goal, however. He levelled in the 32nd minute with an excellent back-heel finish after being set up by Marc Cucurella.

Real Madrid continued to press after the interval, but it was AEK Athens who regained the advantage. Stavro Belo put the home side back in front in the 75th minute with a low shot that went through Thibaut Courtois’ legs.

The lead lasted only three minutes. Kylian Mbappe restored parity in the 78th minute, finishing after a low cross from Denzel Dumfries.

With the match heading towards a draw, substitute Valverde decided the contest in stoppage time. His long-range strike in the 92nd minute completed Real Madrid’s comeback and maintained their 100% record in this season’s Champions League campaign.

Seven consecutive victories

Real Madrid’s latest success is their seventh in a row since their defeat by Atletico Madrid in the league on 20 September.

They have not dropped a point in any competition since that loss, beating Villarreal, Sevilla, Barcelona and Racing in La Liga.

Their other three victories during the run have come in the Champions League, against Roma, Leipzig and AEK Athens.

Real Madrid’s next Champions League fixture is against Eindhoven on 24 November, when they will play in the fifth round of the league phase.

AEK Athens will also be in action on the same day, when they travel to Como.