Jose Mourinho experienced an emotional reunion with his former club as Real Madrid secured a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday. Despite falling 3-1 behind early in the second half, the 15-time European champions rallied with three goals in seven minutes to snatch victory in a classic Champions League tie. Two Donyell Malen strikes in the space of six minutes early in the second half seemed to take the game away from the 15-time European champions as Roma ran rampant. Leading Roma to the UEFA Conference League title and an Europa League final during two-and-a-half years in charge, mourinho was a popular figure. Who twice threatened a second before the break as Marc Cucurella and Jude Bellingham came close, the equaliser appeared to subdue Roma and steady Mourinho’s men.
Roma, competing in their first home Champions League match in over seven years, honored Mourinho with chants and banners. The hosts took an early lead in the 20th minute when Marten de Roon fired a shot past Thibaut Courtois from 25 yards. Although the hosts dominated early proceedings, Kylian Mbappe leveled the score before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error by Mario Hermoso to reach his 72nd tournament goal in his 100th appearance. And almost doubled it when Malen’s powerful shot squirmed under Courtois before being plucked off the line, roma took a deserved lead when De Roon swept a shot past Courtois from 25 yards in the 20th minute. However, one costly moment of switching off proved enough to send them back to square one within five minutes of the opener being scored. And the French striker’s deflected shot flew into the roof of the net to level the scores with Real’s first meaningful chance of the game, hermoso misjudged an interception to allow Mbappe a clear run at goal. Aged 27 – with his 72nd tournament goal, one that moved him into the all-time top five ahead of Real legend Raul Gonzalez, mbappe marked his Champions League centurion status – he is the youngest player to reach the milestone.
The match exploded after the break as Roma’s Gian Piero Gasperini saw his side reclaim control. Substitute Rodrigo Mora assisted Donyell Malen, who expertly chipped Courtois to restore the lead. Moments later, Malen doubled his tally after a VAR review overturned an offside call, leaving the Spanish visitors reeling at 3-1. And he was true to his word as they came out firing after the break, but Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini insisted pre-match that Roma would not compromise on their full-throttle style regardless of opposition.
Real Madrid’s resurgence began through set-pieces as the clock ticked down. Carlos Espi pulled one back before Endrick powered home a header from another corner. The comeback was sealed in the 90th minute when former Roma defender Antonio Rudiger guided a close-range effort into the net, completing an astonishing turnaround that leaves Real with six points from two games, while Roma holds one.
In other European action, Shakhtar Donetsk enjoyed a successful debut at their makeshift Stamford Bridge home, overcoming AEK Athens 3-1. After falling behind to a 28th-minute Lovro Majer strike, Shakhtar equalized through a Pedrinho penalty. Late goals from Vinicius Tobias and substitute Gleiker Mendoza secured the win, placing the Ukrainian side on four points.
Bodo/Glimt continued their formidable home reputation by defeating Borussia Dortmund 1-0. Fredrik Sjovold provided the decisive goal in the 52nd minute, extending Bodo’s impressive record against European heavyweights at the Aspmyra stadium. Despite late pressure from the 2024 finalists, Dortmund could not find an equalizer.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa registered their most significant European victory to date, dismantling Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park. Johan Manzambi opened the scoring before Nicolas Jackson netted a brace. Second-half goals from Ross Barkley and a late finish from Tammy Abraham capped a dominant performance, maintaining Unai Emery’s team’s perfect start in the competition.
