Real Madrid stage 10-minute comeback to beat Roma 4-3 in Champions League

Real Madrid produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Roma 4-3 at the Stadio Olimpico in the second round of the Champions League league phase, scoring three times in the final 10 minutes after trailing 3-1 until the 83rd minute.

Roma took the lead through Martin de Roon in the 20th minute, but Kylian Mbappe equalised five minutes later with a powerful effort from outside the area. The teams went into half-time level at 1-1.

Donyell Malen then struck twice for Roma, scoring in the 51st and 57th minutes to put the Italian side in control. However, substitute Carlos Espe reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute after Endrick’s header from a corner was saved.

Endrick equalised two minutes later, heading a second corner into the net. Antonio Rudiger completed Real Madrid’s comeback in the first minute of added time with a third goal from a corner.

The result gave Real Madrid six points from their opening two matches, following their 2-1 victory over Inter in the first round. Roma have one point after drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahce in their opening game.

Real Madrid have now won 10 consecutive matches in Italy. The match also marked Mbappe’s 100th Champions League appearance, making him the youngest player to reach that milestone at 27 years and 298 days. He surpassed Lionel Messi, who reached 100 appearances in September 2015 against Roma at the age of 28 years and 84 days.

Roma have not beaten Real Madrid since 2008. Real Madrid are among nine teams to have won both of their opening league-phase matches, although they sit eighth on goal difference.

Match action

Roma started strongly and Thibaut Courtois saved well from a Hermoso shot in the fourth minute. Paulo Dybala missed a chance eight minutes later, sending a difficult effort wide of Courtois’ right-hand post.

Roma were forced into a change in the 17th minute when Manu Kone, himself in tears because of injury, was replaced by Niccolo Pisilli. De Roon opened the scoring three minutes later with a long-range shot which deceived Courtois.

Malen almost doubled the lead shortly afterwards, but Courtois recovered to stop the ball before it crossed the line. Mbappe then levelled for Real Madrid with a fierce strike from distance.

Rodrigo Mora replaced Dybala at half-time, before Malen put Roma ahead by lifting the ball over Courtois after breaking clear. His second goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR confirmed it.

Real Madrid later made changes, with Endrick and Arda Guler replacing Vinicius Junior and Denzel Dumfries. Mbappe had a goal disallowed in the 68th minute. Bernardo Silva, Carreras and Espe were also introduced for Aurelien Tchouameni, Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande.

The match was refereed by France’s Francois Letexier, who officiated Egypt v Argentina at the 2026 World Cup.

Roma’s remaining league-phase fixtures are Paris Saint-Germain away, Sporting Lisbon at home, Manchester United away, Lille at home, Slovan Bratislava at home and AEK Athens away.

Real Madrid will face Arsenal away, PSV Eindhoven at home, RB Leipzig at home, Shakhtar away, LASK at home and AEK Athens away.