LIVE BLOG: AEK Athens vs Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid arrive in Athens with high expectations, but their next opponent has something up its sleeve that could make things difficult for Los Blancos. Will it be an easy trip for the Spanish giants?
What a comeback by Los Blancos! Real Madrid defeat AEK Athens 3-2 thanks to Federico Valverde's stoppage-time winner. Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé also found the net as the Spanish giants secured a dramatic victory in Greece.
Final Score: AEK 2-3 Real Madrid
92' - GOAL! REAL MADRID COMPLETE THE COMEBACK THROUGH VALVERDE!
WHAT A TURNAROUND IN ATHENS! Fede Valverde strikes in stoppage time with a stunning right-footed effort from outside the box to put Los Blancos ahead. Real Madrid complete the comeback in the closing minutes!
Score: AEK 2-3 Real Madrid
91' - Four minutes of stoppage time!
The fourth official signals four minutes of added time. Real Madrid and AEK have one final opportunity to find a winning goal in Athens.
Score: AEK 2-2 Real Madrid
86' - Real Madrid make a substitution!
Carlos Espí comes on to replace Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder makes way in the closing minutes as Los Blancos continue searching for a winning goal.
Score: AEK 2-2 Real Madrid
81' - Real Madrid make a double substitution!
Brahim Díaz and Álvaro Carreras come on to replace Marc Cucurella and Vinícius Júnior, respectively. Los Blancos make further changes as they push for a late winner in Athens.
Score: AEK 2-2 Real Madrid
78' - GOAL! REAL MADRID LEVEL AGAIN THROUGH MBAPPÉ!
Los Blancos hit back! Kylian Mbappé finds himself in front of goal and fires a close-range right-footed finish into the net. Real Madrid refuse to give up and pull level once again in an action-packed second half.
Score: AEK 2-2 Real Madrid
75' - GOAL! AEK TAKE THE LEAD AGAIN!
A huge blow for Real Madrid! Stavros Pilios finishes off a quick counterattack with a left-footed shot from the center of the box to put the Greek side back in front. AEK are leading once again in Athens!
Score: AEK 2-1 Real Madrid
69' - Bellingham tries his luck from distance!
Jude Bellingham attempts to catch the defense off guard with a right-footed effort from outside the box, but his shot misses the target. Real Madrid continue searching for the go-ahead goal.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
67' - Real Madrid make a double substitution!
Endrick and Federico Valverde come on to replace Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva, respectively. Los Blancos make changes in attack and midfield as they search for the go-ahead goal.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
65' - Cucurella shown a yellow card!
Marc Cucurella is booked for a bad challenge on Barnabás Varga. The AEK Athens striker wins a free kick in the attacking half, giving the hosts a chance to create danger.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
62' - Mbappé looks to put Real Madrid ahead!
Kylian Mbappé tries his luck with a right-footed shot from outside the box, but his effort goes wide to the right. Jude Bellingham provided the assist.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
60' - Play resumes as AEK make two substitutions!
Following the treatment of Eduardo Camavinga and Lazaros Rota, the match gets back underway. AEK Athens take the opportunity to make two changes: Barnabás Varga replaces Kaan Kairinen, while Răzvan Marin comes on for Mijat Gaćinović.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
58' - Play stopped after a head clash!
Eduardo Camavinga and Lazaros Rota collide heads while challenging for the ball, with both players requiring medical attention. The referee calls a foul by the Real Madrid midfielder on the AEK Athens player, awarding the hosts a free kick in their defensive half.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
53' - AEK make their first substitution!
Zini comes on to replace Lovro Majer as the Greek side makes a change in search of regaining the lead.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
50' - Militão tests the goalkeeper from distance!
Éder Militão lets fly with a right-footed effort from outside the box, but Alberto Brignoli gets down quickly to make a save near the bottom-left corner. Eduardo Camavinga provided the assist.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
45' - THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY IN ATHENS!
We're back underway at the Allwyn Arena! AEK Athens and Real Madrid kick off the final 45 minutes with everything still to play for after a level first half.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
45+1' - HALF-TIME IN ATHENS!
The first half comes to an end at the Allwyn Arena. AEK Athens struck first, but Real Madrid fought back through Jude Bellingham to level the score. Everything is still up for grabs in the second half.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
45' - One minute of stoppage time!
The fourth official signals one minute of added time before the end of the first half.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
45' - Real Madrid push for the lead before halftime!
Bernardo Silva gets his head to the ball from point-blank range following a cross from Vinícius Júnior, but his effort narrowly misses to the left. Los Blancos come close to taking the lead before the break!
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
34' - First yellow card of the match!
Kervin Arriaga is shown a yellow card after committing a foul. The AEK Athens midfielder goes into the referee's book as the intensity of the match continues to rise.
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
32' - GOAL! REAL MADRID LEVEL THROUGH BELLINGHAM!
Los Blancos are back in the game! Jude Bellingham finds space in the center of the box and fires a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. Marc Cucurella is credited with the assist after delivering a cross into the area. Real Madrid are back on level terms!
Score: AEK 1-1 Real Madrid
28' - Bellingham caught offside!
Real Madrid's attack comes to an end as Jude Bellingham is flagged for offside, giving AEK a chance to regroup.
Score: AEK 1-0 Real Madrid
27' - Diomande looks to level the score!
Yan Diomande tries to create danger with a left-footed effort from the right side of the box, but the AEK Athens defense gets in the way to block the shot.
Score: AEK 1-0 Real Madrid
21' - Mbappé misses the chance to equalize!
Kylian Mbappé gets a shooting opportunity inside the box and unleashes a right-footed effort, but the ball flies over the crossbar. Yan Diomande provided the assist.
Score: AEK 1-0 Real Madrid
17' - AEK look to double their lead!
Luka Jović threatens again with a left-footed effort from the center of the box, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper makes the save. The hosts continue searching for a second goal.
Score: AEK 1-0 Real Madrid
12' - GOAL! AEK TAKE THE LEAD IN ATHENS!
The hosts strike first! Aboubakary Koïta finds space inside the box and fires a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. Luka Jović provides the assist as AEK take a stunning early lead against Real Madrid.
Score: AEK 1-0 Real Madrid
11' - Real Madrid push for the opener!
Jude Bellingham attempts to catch the defense off guard with a left-footed strike from outside the box, but the AEK Athens defense gets in the way to block the effort. Eduardo Camavinga provided the assist.
Score: AEK 0-0 Real Madrid
5' - AEK threaten for the first time!
Mijat Gacinović gets a left-footed shot away from the center of the box, but Thibaut Courtois reacts well to make a save low to his left. Lovro Majer provided the assist.
Score: AEK 0-0 Real Madrid
0' - Kick-off in Athens!
We're underway at the Allwyn Arena! AEK Athens and Real Madrid are now facing off in their Matchday 4 clash of the Champions League league phase.
Score: AEK 0-0 Real Madrid
AEK Athens Starting XI
Real Madrid Starting XI
Real Madrid visit Athens as AEK dream of a historic night
The Champions League presents a special challenge for Real Madrid, who travel to face AEK Athens this Wednesday, November 4, in Matchday 4 of the league phase. The Greek champions will welcome one of Europe's biggest clubs in a matchup that has generated enormous excitement among their supporters.
For the home side, this is an opportunity to prove they can compete against the continent's top teams. For Madrid, it is a demanding away fixture at an important point in the season. The Allwyn Arena is expected to provide an intense atmosphere, but the Spanish giants have plenty of reasons to feel confident given their recent form.
Six straight wins and a Real Madrid side looking to maintain their perfect Champions League record
The Spanish giants are enjoying one of their best spells of the season. They have recorded six consecutive victories, including a 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clásico and a 3-0 victory against Racing de Santander, with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande. They have also maintained a perfect record in Europe, collecting nine points from victories over Inter, Roma and RB Leipzig.
AEK's situation is very different. They have lost their last two matches against PAOK and Panathinaikos, while suffering Champions League defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City after opening their campaign with a victory over LASK. The Greek side needs a response, but it has one important reason to remain optimistic: its impressive home record.
Mbappé and Vinícius pose the biggest threats to AEK
Kylian Mbappé arrives in excellent form and will be one of the players to watch, alongside Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande, who is beginning to establish himself among Madrid's attacking options. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior is available for this European clash after missing the league match against Barcelona through suspension.
Another positive development for Madrid is the return of Federico Valverde, who was rested against Racing. However, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler did not travel to Athens, meaning the coaching staff will have to find alternatives in midfield. On the other side, Luka Jović, the former Real Madrid striker who has scored seven goals this season, represents one of AEK's main attacking hopes.
AEK's home advantage and a historical meeting worth remembering
Although Real Madrid enter the match as favorites, they will need to pay close attention to their opponents' home form. AEK have won all seven of their matches at the Allwyn Arena, scoring 30 goals and conceding just one. That record stands in stark contrast to their recent away results and explains why the Greek side believes it can make life difficult for the Spanish giants.
The two clubs last met in October 2002, when they played out a 2-2 draw in Athens during the Champions League group stage. Now, Real Madrid will look to maintain their perfect record and move closer to securing qualification, while AEK will hope to use the support of their fans to achieve one of the biggest results of their season.
