Real Madrid pulled off an astonishing comeback, scoring three goals in the closing minutes to beat Roma 4-3 at the Stadio Olimpico in a Champions League match played in the early hours of this morning (Vietnam time).
It was a memorable reunion for coach Jose Mourinho with his former club, where he led Roma to the UEFA Conference League title and a Europa League final during two and a half years in charge. Home fans greeted the Portuguese manager with banners and chants in the first Champions League match at the Olimpico in more than seven years.
Roma started brightly and took a deserved lead in the 20th minute when Marten de Roon fired a shot from about 25 metres past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage with a fierce Donyell Malen effort that forced Courtois into a scrambling save on his line.
But a moment of lapsed concentration cost Roma dear. Defender Mario Hermoso misjudged a pass, allowing Kylian Mbappe to race through and finish with a deflected shot to make it 1-1 in the 25th minute. It was Mbappe's 72nd Champions League goal on his 100th appearance, making him the youngest player (27) to reach that milestone and lifting him to fifth on the competition's all-time scoring list, ahead of legend Raul Gonzalez.
After the break, Roma quickly restored their lead when substitute Rodrigo Mora set up Malen for a deft finish over Courtois. Six minutes later, Malen completed his brace with a burst onto a through ball and a powerful strike, the goal standing after a VAR check for offside.
The game looked settled at 1-3, but set pieces proved the key to unlocking the Roma defence. Carlos Espi pulled one back from close range after a header, before Endrick nodded in from another corner just two minutes later to level the score.
In the 90th minute, former Roma defender Antonio Rudiger delivered the decisive blow, escaping his marker to finish from close range and seal a dramatic 4-3 win for the visitors.
With the result, Real Madrid have six points from two group matches, while Roma have just one.
Shakhtar Donetsk beat AEK Athens in London debut
Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian club without a permanent home ground, celebrated their move to a new "fortress" at Stamford Bridge with an impressive comeback to beat AEK Athens 3-1. Thousands of fans turned out to support the team, who emerged from the tunnel under the blue-and-yellow national flag.
The Greek side took the lead in the 28th minute through Lovro Majer, but Pedrinho equalised confidently from the penalty spot just six minutes later. With about 10 minutes remaining, Vinicius Tobias scored from a tight angle and substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a powerful shot after cutting in from the left. Shakhtar now have four points from two games, following their opening draw with PSV Eindhoven.
Bodo/Glimt claim another Dortmund scalp in Champions League
Fredrik Sjovold's 52nd-minute strike gave Bodo/Glimt a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, extending the Norwegian club's impressive home record against Europe's giants. Bodo looked superior to the 2024 Champions League runners-up and took the lead shortly after the break.
Dortmund improved in the final 30 minutes but could not equalise, despite a late chance for Felix Nmecha. Dortmund became the latest victims on the artificial turf at Aspmyra, after Manchester City, Inter Milan and Sporting.
Aston Villa crush Fenerbahce 6-0
Aston Villa recorded their biggest-ever European win by thrashing Fenerbahce 6-0, with a sparkling display from Nicolas Jackson. Unai Emery's side won their first match at Villa Park this season, maintaining their perfect record in European competition.
Swiss striker Johan Manzambi opened the scoring, and Jackson netted twice before half-time. Ross Barkley scored a second-half brace before Tammy Abraham completed the 6-0 rout with a late goal.
