Valverde late show keeps Real Madrid perfect as Como hit nine in Champions League
A stoppage-time goal from Federico Valverde gave Real Madrid a 3-2 win at AEK Athens, while Como thrashed Lens 9-1 to equal the competition's record winning margin.
Illustration: AI-generated image
Real Madrid preserved their perfect record in the Uefa Champions League with a dramatic 3-2 win away to AEK Athens on Wednesday, Federico Valverde scoring in the second minute of stoppage time to settle a pulsating contest.
The Spanish side twice came from behind in the Greek capital. Aboubakary Koita opened the scoring for AEK before Jude Bellingham's deft backheel equalised. Stavros Pilios restored the hosts' lead, but Kylian Mbappe levelled again and Valverde's long-range strike secured a fourth straight group-phase victory.
The result keeps Jose Mourinho's side second on 12 points, behind Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference, and extends their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
Liverpool saw their own perfect start end with a 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce in Istanbul. Former Anfield favourite Dirk Kuyt, in interim charge of the Turkish side, watched his team come from behind twice. Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak were on target for Liverpool, but goals from Mason Greenwood, Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi gave Fenerbahce a first Champions League win since 2008.
Italian newcomers Como produced one of the competition's most extraordinary results, thrashing Lens 9-1 in France. Anastasios Douvikas bagged a hat-trick for Cesc Fabregas' side, who matched the biggest winning margin in Champions League history in their debut campaign.
Manchester City also left it late, Erling Haaland scoring the winner in a 3-2 victory at RB Leipzig, while Arsenal held off Slavia Prague 2-1 to move third on 10 points.
