Real Madrid produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Roma 4-3 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, scoring three times in the final stages after Donyell Malen’s double had put the hosts in control of their UEFA Champions League encounter.
Roma appeared on course for a memorable victory after building a 3-1 lead, but second half substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick brought Real level before Antonio Rüdiger struck the decisive goal in the 90th minute.
The result extended Roma’s winless run in European competition to five matches.
José Mourinho returned to the Italian capital, where he remains a popular figure after leading Roma to the Europa Conference League title in 2022, hoping to improve Real’s away form.
However, the visitors endured a difficult evening for much of the contest before finding a way to snatch all three points.
Roma started brightly, with Matías Soulé and Paulo Dybala testing the Real defense in the opening stages.
Thibaut Courtois was also called into action to deny Mario Hermoso, while Soulé threatened again with an effort from distance.
The hosts eventually took the lead in the 20th minute. After Dybala helped win possession, Soulé laid the ball off for Marten de Roon, whose effort from outside the penalty area took a deflection and wrong-footed Courtois.
readmore: PSG punish Manchester City as Haaland’s milestone fails to prevent defeat
Real responded through Kylian Mbappé five minutes later. The French forward marked his 100th Champions League appearance with a shot from the edge of the box that deflected beyond Pierluigi Gollini to restore parity.
The equalizer gave Real a foothold, but neither side managed to take control before the interval.
Jude Bellingham came close to putting the visitors ahead in stoppage time, only to fire narrowly wide after linking up with Vinícius Júnior.
Roma regained the advantage six minutes into the second half after capitalising on a costly error in Real’s build-up.
Courtois’ attempted pass towards Vinícius was intercepted, allowing substitute Rodrigo Mora to feed Malen inside the penalty area. The Dutch forward finished from close range, with his effort taking a deflection before beating the goalkeeper.
Malen struck again in the 57th minute to put Roma 3-1 ahead. Soulé split the Real defence with a precise pass, and the striker finished confidently to leave the visitors facing a two-goal deficit.
Real tried to respond, with Mbappé finding the net again after a pass from Yan Diomande, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Mourinho turned to his bench, introducing Arda Güler and Endrick as Real searched for a route back into the match. The changes transformed the closing stages, with the visitors increasing the pressure and forcing Roma deeper towards their own goal.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
Real’s comeback began in the 83rd minute when Espí reacted quickest to a rebound after Gollini had parried Endrick’s header. The substitute finished from close range to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Two minutes later, Endrick levelled the score, rising to meet Güler’s corner and directing a header into the bottom-left corner.
Roma, who had appeared comfortable with their two-goal advantage, suddenly faced the prospect of leaving empty handed.
Real continued to attack, and Bellingham came close to completing the turnaround with a header from another Güler corner that flashed narrowly wide.
The decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute. Güler delivered another dangerous corner into the penalty area, where Rüdiger found space to finish low into the net and complete Real’s remarkable comeback.
Roma attempted to respond, but Real held on through five minutes of added time to secure a 4-3 victory in one of the most dramatic matches of the Champions League league phase so far.
