Real Madrid came from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3 away in the Champions League on Wednesday, scoring three goals in the final stages at the Stadio Olimpico. Jose Mourinho was returning to the club where he spent two and a half years in charge, and he left with a stunning win for his side.
The same night also produced wins for Shakhtar Donetsk, Bodo/Glimt and Aston Villa, who each took three points in their own matches.
Real Madrid’s late turnaround at the Stadio Olimpico
Roma were the early favourites on the night, and they took the lead when Marten de Roon struck from 25 yards in the 20th minute. Kylian Mbappe equalised before half-time, reaching his 100th Champions League appearance in the process.
Roma responded quickly after the break. Donyell Malen scored twice in the space of six minutes, the second coming after a VAR review overturned an initial offside flag. Those goals appeared to have settled the contest in the home side’s favour.
Real refused to give up, and set pieces proved to be their route back into the game. Carlos Espi pulled one back from a close-range rebound, and Endrick headed in from another corner just two minutes later. Antonio Rudiger, the former Roma defender, completed the comeback in the 90th minute with a close-range finish.
The result leaves Real Madrid with six points from their opening two league phase matches. Roma have one point from the same number of games.
Shakhtar Donetsk and Bodo/Glimt pick up wins
Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian champions who play their home matches elsewhere, celebrated their new Champions League base at Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 win over AEK Athens. Supporters turned out in large numbers, and the players came onto the pitch draped in blue-and-yellow national flags.
AEK Athens led in the 28th minute through Lovro Majer, but Pedrinho levelled from the penalty spot six minutes later. Vinicius Tobias scored from a tight angle with about ten minutes of normal time left, and substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the result. Shakhtar now have four points after two games.
In Norway, Fredrik Sjovold scored in the 52nd minute to give Bodo/Glimt a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. The result extended the home side’s strong record against Europe’s leading clubs. Dortmund improved in the final half hour but could not find an equaliser, despite a late chance for Felix Nmecha.
Dortmund became the latest big name to lose on the artificial turf at Bodo’s Aspmyra stadium, joining Manchester City, Inter Milan and Sporting.
Aston Villa record their biggest European win
Aston Villa recorded their biggest ever European victory, beating Fenerbahce 6-0 at Villa Park. Swiss forward Johan Manzambi gave the hosts the lead, and Nicolas Jackson scored twice before the interval.
Ross Barkley added two goals in the second half, and Tammy Abraham’s late strike completed the rout. The win was Unai Emery’s side’s first at Villa Park this season, and it keeps their unbeaten start in Europe’s elite club competition intact.
