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Federico Valverde delivered a spectacular long-range strike to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for Real Madrid against AEK Athens in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, maintaining their perfect record in the group stage.
The match, played at the Agia Sophia Stadium, saw AEK Athens twice take the lead, only for Real Madrid to respond and equalize each time, before Valverde’s decisive goal finally tipped the balance in favor of the Spanish giants. This win keeps Madrid level with holders Paris Saint-Germain, both having recorded four wins from four matches in the league phase.
AEK struck first when Aboubakary Koita found the net in the 12th minute. The Mauritanian winger cleverly cut inside defender Marc Cucurella before firing a powerful shot into the near post, beating Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had earlier denied former Los Blancos striker Luka Jovic.
Jude Bellingham soon restored parity for Madrid with an elegant flick, marking the record 15-time European champions’ first equalizer of the evening. Despite AEK’s energetic start and multiple attempts to capitalize on their advantage, Courtois remained a reliable barrier in goal.
Late Drama Seals Madrid’s Seventh Consecutive Win
As the match progressed, it was clear that the contest would be tightly fought. With just 15 minutes remaining, Stavros Pilios put the Greek side ahead once again, rekindling hopes of an upset against the European powerhouse.
However, Kylian Mbappe quickly responded, leveling the score for Madrid and setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Valverde’s stunning strike from distance, arriving in the closing moments, sealed all three points for the visitors and extended their winning streak to seven games across all competitions.
For Madrid, the match marked the return of Vinicius Junior on the left wing after serving a suspension that sidelined him for the previous two La Liga fixtures. His presence contributed to the team’s attacking prowess throughout the encounter.
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