Real Madrid beat AEK Athens 3-2 in the Champions League on November 4, 2026. Valverde scored a late winner after goals from Bellingham and Mbappé.
Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League with a dramatic 3-2 victory over AEK Athens on November 4, 2026. Federico Valverde scored the winning goal in stoppage time after Madrid twice came from behind, securing their fourth consecutive victory in the league phase.
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé also scored for the Spanish giants, while Aboubakary Koïta and Stavros Pilios found the net for AEK Athens. The result moved Real Madrid to 12 points from four matches, keeping them second in the Champions League standings behind Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference. Despite entering the match as favourites, Madrid faced significant resistance from the Greek side, who remained competitive until the final minutes.
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AEK Athens Take the Lead Before Bellingham Responds
The home side made an aggressive start and took the lead in the 12th minute through Koïta. The early goal gave AEK Athens an advantage and forced Real Madrid to respond after falling behind away from home. Rather than immediately controlling proceedings, Madrid had to deal with the hosts’ energetic approach. AEK attempted to maintain pressure while preventing their opponents from building attacks through midfield.
However, Real Madrid gradually found their rhythm and equalised in the 32nd minute through Bellingham. The England international finished from close range after a move involving Kylian Mbappé, bringing the visitors back into the contest. The goal provided Madrid with an opportunity to regain control before half-time, but AEK remained organised and continued looking for openings.
Neither side managed to score again before the break, leaving the match level at 1-1. The first half demonstrated that AEK were prepared to challenge Madrid rather than simply defend their home advantage. Their willingness to attack created problems for the visitors, who struggled to establish the dominance expected from a team that had won its first three European matches.
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Mbappé Equalises Before Valverde Seals the Comeback
The second half remained competitive, with both teams searching for a goal that could change the outcome. AEK Athens eventually regained the lead in the 75th minute through Stavros Pilios. His goal put the hosts ahead for the second time and raised the possibility of a major Champions League upset.
However, their advantage lasted only three minutes. Mbappé equalised in the 78th minute, scoring his side’s second goal and restoring parity at a crucial stage of the match. The French forward’s contribution gave Real Madrid renewed momentum as the contest entered its final minutes. Madrid continued pushing forward, knowing that a draw would end their perfect start to the competition. Their attacking pressure eventually paid off in the second minute of stoppage time.
Valverde collected a pass from Brahim Díaz and struck a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli unable to prevent the winner. The goal completed Madrid’s comeback and secured all three points. AEK’s Koïta was subsequently shown a red card during the closing moments, adding further frustration for the hosts after coming close to securing a positive result.
What the Result Means for Real Madrid
The victory extended Real Madrid’s winning run in the Champions League league phase to four matches, giving them 12 points from a possible 12. The result also maintained their position among the competition’s leading teams, with Paris Saint-Germain remaining ahead on goal difference. Bellingham received UEFA’s Player of the Match award for his performance, while Mbappé and Valverde provided the goals that ultimately secured the comeback.
Although Madrid collected another victory, the match highlighted some defensive concerns. Conceding twice against AEK forced them to recover from difficult situations, and stronger opponents could punish similar mistakes. Nevertheless, their ability to respond under pressure demonstrated the attacking quality available within the squad. With four victories already secured, Real Madrid have placed themselves in a strong position for the remaining league-phase fixtures. Can they maintain their perfect record, or will their defensive vulnerabilities eventually cost them points against tougher opposition?
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