Bellingham and Valverde Secure 3-2 Comeback Win for Real Madrid Over AEK Athens

Real Madrid maintained a perfect Champions League record as Fede Valverde's stoppage-time strike sealed a 3-2 victory against AEK Athens.

Real Madrid defeated AEK Athens 3-2 on Wednesday to secure their fourth consecutive Champions League victory this season. The win moves Jose Mourinho’s side to 12 points, level with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the League Phase standings. Fede Valverde clinched the result in stoppage time with a drive from the edge of the box after Kylian Mbappé had equalized in the 78th minute.

AEK Athens twice held the lead in Greece, opening the scoring through Aboubakary Koita. Jude Bellingham equalized in the 32nd minute, using a backheel flick to convert a cross from Marc Cucurella. At 23 years old, Bellingham became the youngest player to score in seven straight Champions League campaigns, overtaking the record previously held by teammate Mbappé. The English midfielder has now recorded five goals and four assists in 15 appearances across all competitions this term.

Stavro Pilo restored the lead for AEK in the 75th minute before Madrid’s late comeback extended their winning streak to seven matches. Vinícius Júnior returned to the lineup while serving a domestic suspension but did not record a goal or assist. Mourinho noted that despite the victory, the team requires approximately seven or eight more points to ensure they finish in the top eight and avoid the play-off round in the new year.