Substitute Federico Valverde scored a 92nd-minute winner as Real Madrid defeated AEK Athens 3-2 at the Allwyn Arena on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.


Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé had cancelled out goals from Aboubakary Koïta and Stavros Pilios before Valverde completed the comeback with a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area.


The victory took José Mourinho’s team to 12 points from four league-phase matches. Madrid entered the contest with wins over Inter Milan, Leipzig and Roma, while AEK had collected three points from their opening three fixtures.


Bellingham Cancels Out Early AEK Lead


Koïta opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving AEK an early advantage against the visitors. Madrid responded through Bellingham in the 32nd minute, leaving the teams level at the interval.


Bellingham’s appearance also brought a Champions League milestone. UEFA’s pre-match statistics listed him on 59 appearances and confirmed that playing in Athens would make him the youngest footballer to reach 60.


At 23 years and 128 days, the England midfielder surpassed Iker Casillas, who reached the same total aged 23 years and 167 days. Madrid’s confirmed starting line-up included Bellingham, allowing him to complete the milestone.


Two Late Goals Turn the Match


AEK regained the lead through Pilios in the 75th minute. Their advantage lasted only three minutes, however, as Mbappé equalised in the 78th.


Valverde then decided the contest in the second minute of added time. Brahim Díaz supplied the assist, and the Uruguayan midfielder drove his shot into the top-right corner. LaLiga’s match commentary also recorded a red card for Koïta after the second half ended.


The late intervention justified Madrid’s use of the bench. The club’s official team sheet had named both Valverde and Brahim among the substitutes, with Bernardo Silva and Bellingham starting alongside Eduardo Camavinga in midfield.


Madrid Extend Their Winning Run


The result also extended Madrid’s winning streak to seven matches across all competitions. Before travelling to Athens, the club had recorded six consecutive victories, most recently a 3-0 league win away to Racing de Santander.


For AEK, the defeat leaves them on three points after four Champions League matches. Their two leads produced no additional points, while Madrid preserved their maximum return from the opening four rounds.


Madrid’s next Champions League fixture is at home to PSV Eindhoven on 24 November. AEK travel to Como on the same date.