Federico Valverde scored a long-range goal in the 92nd minute to secure a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid against AEK Athens on Wednesday. The win allows Jose Mourinho's side to maintain a perfect start to the Champions League league phase, moving to four wins from four games and leveling with holders Paris Saint-Germain on points.
The match saw Mourinho's side fall behind twice before Valverde's late effort secured the win, which marks Madrid's seventh consecutive victory across all competitions.
AEK Athens took an early lead in the 12th minute when Mauritanian winger Aboubakary Koita shifted inside Marc Cucurella and scored at the near post. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had previously saved a shot from Luka Jovic.
Jude Bellingham equalized for the 15-time winners with a flicked finish from a low cross by Cucurella. While Mbappe had previously fired over and Bellingham had been ruled offside on a close-range effort, the equalizer was undeniable.
The Greek champions regained the lead in the 75th minute when Koita provided an assist for Stavros Pilios, who finished through Courtois's legs from close range. Madrid responded immediately as Mbappe scored his fourth goal in four Champions League games this season, assisted by a cross from Denzel Dumfries.
With five minutes remaining, Endrick provided an assist for Mbappe, but goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli saved the effort against the crossbar. Valverde then struck from distance in the 92nd minute to clinch the win.
Mourinho stated that he did not specifically ask Valverde to shoot, but told him to attack space and arrive in dangerous areas because the game was being played at great speed. He noted that while a draw would have been an acceptable result on 10 points, the team wanted more.
Valverde expressed gratitude to his teammates for giving him the confidence to take his shot, admitting that he sometimes overthinks his decisions.
Following the match, Koita, who had been substituted, was sent off for apparent dissent.
