AP – Real Madrid produced another late comeback in the Champions League as Federico Valverde struck in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win over AEK Athens on Wednesday.
Liverpool, however, fell to a surprise 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce to end its 100 per cent start to this season’s competition.
Madrid’s perfect record was also in jeopardy in Greece after twice going behind until Valverde fired home from long range in the 92nd minute at Allwyn Arena.
The Spanish giant needed a late rally to beat Roma 4-3 last month, scoring three goals in the last 10 minutes, including a 90th minute winner from Antonio Rudiger.
AEK led through Aboubakary Koita in the first half before Jude Bellingham leveled with a back heel.
Stavros Pilios put the home team 2-1 ahead in the 75th, but Kylian Mbappé equalized three minutes later.
Mbappé then hit the bar before Valverde’s dramatic winner.
“We won the first game in the last minute. Of course, I prefer to win more comfortably, but these games in the final minutes – only we can win them,” Madrid coach Jose Mourinho told broadcaster Movistar.
“We – without making me sound like I’m blowing my own trumpet – we have them in the right place when it comes to doing that. And if we do it, it’s because we all feel that we can. The players have courage. I’m very lucky to have players of this quality. Very lucky.”
MADRID’S GALACTICOS DELIVER
On a night when Bellingham became the youngest player to make 60 appearances in the Champions League, the England midfielder scored with a brilliant flicked goal and was named player of the match.
Bellingham, who was also the youngest player to make 50 appearances, reached his latest landmark at the age of 23 years, 128 days, overtaking iconic former Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
He struck in the 32nd by connecting with Marc Cucurella’s cross and flicking a first time shot past goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli.
“It was just instinct really,” Bellingham said. “I found myself in a good position and managed to do the only thing that came naturally in that position. It was a nice one.”
Mbappé, meanwhile, made it 16 goals in 15 appearances this season and extended his scoring streak in the Champions League to six straight matches.
LIVERPOOL STUNNED BY FENERBAHCE
It was the opposite story for Liverpool in Istanbul, twice blowing the lead before losing for the first time in this season’s Champions League.
Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak gave the Merseyside club the lead in each half, with former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood and Archie Brown leveling for Fenerbahce on each occasion.
Vedat Muriqi struck the winner in the 89th as Liverpool fell to back-to-back losses in all competitions following defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
“The main reason I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set pieces,” Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola said. “We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce. We concede from a free-kick, a corner and even from the long throw at the end. It’s frustration because it’s a difficult place to come here and play.”
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