Real Madrid beat AEK Athens 3-2 as Valverde scores stoppage-time winner

Real Madrid came from behind to beat AEK Athens 3-2 on Wednesday in Athens and stayed perfect in the Champions League. According to ESPN, Jude Bellingham sparked the comeback, and AS USA reported that he leveled the score at 1-1 with a backheel finish. Real Madrid sit in position 2 of the standings with 12 points after 4 matches, while AEK Athens are in position 29 with 3 points. Mourinho praised Bellingham as a "one-of-a-kind" player after the thriller, according to ESPN.

How did Real Madrid come back to beat AEK Athens?

AEK Athens struck first, and Jude Bellingham equalized at 1-1 with a backheel finish, according to AS USA. ESPN called it a thriller in Athens and reported that Bellingham sparked the 3-2 comeback win for Real Madrid against AEK. AS USA noted that Mourinho rotated his lineup on Wednesday but kept Bellingham, who is 23, in the starting group.

Mourinho praised Bellingham after the final whistle, and ESPN's headline quoted him calling the midfielder 'one-of-a-kind.' According to AS USA, Bellingham now has five goals and three assists this season, eight direct contributions. He says playing a more central role is behind his improvement. The result keeps Madrid perfect in the Champions League, with 4 wins from 4 games and a +6 goal difference. They sit second in the UEFA Champions League standings with 12 points, while AEK Athens are 29th with 3 points.

What did Mourinho say about Jude Bellingham?

Mourinho hailed Bellingham as "one-of-a-kind" after Real Madrid won the thriller in Athens, according to ESPN. AS USA reported that Mourinho rotated his lineup Wednesday against AEK but kept Bellingham in the team. Bellingham is 23, according to AS USA.

His numbers back up the praise. According to AS USA, Bellingham has five goals and three assists this season, eight direct contributions in all. Bellingham has his own explanation: he said playing a more central role drives his improvement, AS USA reported.

How did Mourinho explain his Real Madrid substitutions?

One of Mourinho's changes in Athens had a clear reason behind it: Cucurella was carrying a yellow card, so Alvaro came on. When he explained his attacking choices, the coach said Brahim works well in central areas and that he wanted fresher legs on the field.

Mourinho called Vinicius' performance decent and denied forcing Diomande to switch flanks. He added that Real Madrid signed Diomande to play on either wing. He also admitted that AEK exceeded what he expected from his scouting, and said Madrid won on individual quality once the game opened up.

Where do Real Madrid and AEK Athens stand in the Champions League?

Real Madrid sit in position 2 of the Champions League standings with 12 points, having played 4, won 4, drawn 0 and lost 0, with a goal difference of +6. ESPN reported that Madrid stayed perfect in the competition after Jude Bellingham sparked a 3-2 comeback win against AEK in Athens.

AEK Athens are in position 29 with 3 points, with 1 win, 0 draws, 3 losses and a goal difference of -6. According to AS USA, Bellingham equalized at 1-1 against AEK with a backheel finish, and he kept his place in the lineup even though Mourinho rotated his side on Wednesday.