Federico Valverde Secures Late Victory for Real Madrid Against AEK Athens

Federico Valverde scored a stoppage-time winner to give Real Madrid a 3-2 victory over AEK Athens on Wednesday, maintaining the club's perfect start to the Champions League league phase.

The result in Greece moves Real Madrid to 12 points from four matches, placing them level with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the standings.

AEK Athens took the lead twice through Aboubakary Koita in the 12th minute and Stavros Pilios in the 75th minute, but Real Madrid responded with goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

The victory extends Real Madrid’s winning streak to seven games across all competitions, a run that began after their defeat to Atletico Madrid in September.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho said of Valverde, "Fede has that capability... but I didn't ask him to shoot."

Mourinho added, "I told him was that the game was wide open, it was being played at great speed... a fresh player like Fede, with his ability to cover a lot of ground, I told him to attack the space and arrive in the dangerous areas."

Bellingham leveled the score at 1-1 in the 32nd minute with a flicked finish, while Mbappe equalized again at 2-2 shortly after Pilios had restored the hosts' lead.

Valverde, who entered the match as a second-half substitute, struck the decisive goal in the 92nd minute from distance, beating goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli.

According to SuperSport, AEK Athens winger Aboubakary Koita was sent off after the match for dissent.

Goal.com reported that Mourinho's tactical decisions, specifically the inclusion of Vinicius Junior in the starting lineup, created difficulties for the team's balance throughout the match.

Real Madrid is scheduled to host PSV Eindhoven in their next Champions League fixture on November 24 following the upcoming international break.