AEK Athens 2-3 Real Madrid: Valverde hits winner at 90+2

Real Madrid beat AEK Athens 3-2 at the Allwyn Arena in Athens on Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026, as Federico Valverde scored the winner at 90+2 minutes. AEK led twice in the Matchday 4 game in the Champions League league phase. Real Madrid levelled twice, then won it in stoppage time to make it four wins from four in the competition.

Koita shocks Madrid, Bellingham answers with a backheel

AEK scored first on 12 minutes. Aboubakary Koita put the home side ahead, set up by Luka Jovic, the former Real Madrid striker. Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois early in the game. The goalkeeper made two vital saves to deny Jovic and Mijat Gacinovic and keep his side in the match. Jude Bellingham also had an effort ruled out for offside before he scored.

Bellingham levelled on 32 minutes. He finished first time with a backheel from a low cross by Marc Cucurella. The Sun called it one of the best goals its writer had ever seen. It was Bellingham's fifth goal of the season and his first in Europe this term. The teams went in level at half time at 1-1, after a first half in which AEK had scored first and Madrid had leaned on their goalkeeper.

AEK lead again, Madrid finish stronger

AEK went back in front on 75 minutes. Stavros Pilios scored, assisted by Koita, to make it 2-1. The lead lasted three minutes. Kylian Mbappe equalised on 78 minutes from an assist by Denzel Dumfries, and the game was level again at 2-2 with the clock running down.

The winner came from two substitutes. Valverde had come on at 67 minutes. Brahim Diaz came on at 82 minutes and set up the goal. Valverde scored at 90+2 minutes to complete the comeback at 3-2 and spark the away celebrations in Athens. This time AEK had no time left to answer.

The numbers behind the result

Real Madrid had 64 percent of possession and 21 shots to 9 for AEK. Madrid also won 7 corners to none. The shot count showed their pressure across the night, but AEK stayed in the game until stoppage time and twice held the lead. Koita finished with a goal and an assist for the home side.

What it means for the table

Real Madrid, managed by Jose Mourinho, had won their first three games, against Inter, Roma and RB Leipzig. They now have four wins from four games and 12 points in the league phase. AEK stay on three points from four games. For AEK, the defeat came after a strong home display in Athens, in which they led on 12 minutes and again on 75 minutes before Madrid took the points at the end.