Real Madrid completed an astonishing comeback by scoring three late goals to claim a 4-3 away win against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho enjoyed a memorable reunion with the Italian club, having previously led them to the UEFA Conference League title and Europa League final during two and a half years in charge. The Portuguese coach received banners and chants from the home crowd during Roma’s first home Champions League match in more than seven years.
The hosts started strongly at the Stadio Olimpico when Mario Hermoso forced Thibaut Courtois into a flying fingertip save. Marten de Roon then gave the hosts a deserved lead in the 20th minute by sweeping a shot past Courtois from 25 yards.
Roma nearly doubled their advantage when Donyell Malen fired a powerful shot that squirmed under Courtois before being cleared off the line. A defensive error allowed Real Madrid to level the scores within five minutes of the opener.
Hermoso misjudged an interception to give Kylian Mbappe a clear run at goal. The French striker scored with a deflected shot that flew into the roof of the net, marking his 100th Champions League appearance and his 72nd tournament goal.
The milestone made Mbappe the youngest player to reach a century of appearances in the competition at 27 years old. The strike also moved him into the all-time top five goalscorers, overtaking Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.
Roma refused to compromise on their attacking style under coach Gian Piero Gasperini and came out firing after the interval. Substitute Rodrigo Mora fed Malen, who finished brilliantly with his second touch to lift the ball over Courtois and restore the lead.
Malen scored his second goal just six minutes later by racing onto a through ball to power a shot home. The effort was confirmed following a video assistant referee review after an initial offside flag.
Real Madrid responded as Mbappe tested goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini and later had a second goal ruled out for offside. Set pieces ultimately unlocked the Roma defence in the closing stages.
Carlos Espi tucked home a close-range rebound from a header in the final six minutes to pull one back. Endrick then powered home a header from another corner just two minutes later to level the score.
Ex-Roma defender Antonio Rudiger struck in the 90th minute by getting in front of his marker to guide a close-range finish home and complete the turnaround. The result leaves Real Madrid with six points from their opening two league phase matches, while Roma remain on one point.
