Real Madrid Stun Roma with Late Comeback in Champions League Thriller
Real Madrid completed an astonishing comeback in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, scoring three goals in the final minutes to defeat Roma 4-3 at a stunned Stadio Olimpico. Trailing 3-1 heading into the closing stages, the 15-time European champions relied on a flurry of set-piece routines to secure six points from their opening two league phase matches, leaving the Italian side with one point.
The dramatic turnaround leaves Real Madrid in the top eight of the 36-team table as reported by USA Today, maintaining position for an automatic spot in the round of 16. For Roma, the collapse erased a commanding performance as Gian Piero Gasperini managed the side, while José Mourinho experienced a high-profile reunion against the club he famously led to the UEFA Conference League title.
The evening began with intense pressure from the hosts, as Mario Hermoso forced Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a flying fingertip save. Roma capitalized on their early momentum in the 20th minute when Marten de Roon swept a 25-yard shot past Courtois.
The advantage nearly doubled moments later when a powerful strike from Donyell Malen squirmed under Courtois before being cleared off the line. Stadio Olimpico Responds to Kylian Mbappe and Donyell Malen Real Madrid responded in the 25th minute following a costly defensive lapse.
Hermoso misjudged an interception, granting Kylian Mbappé a clear path toward goal. The French forward's deflected shot flew into the roof of the net, leveling the score at 1-1 with the visitors' first meaningful chance.
The strike marked a major milestone for Mbappé on his 100th Champions League appearance. Aged 27, he became the youngest player to reach the century mark in tournament history, netting his 72nd competition goal to surpass Real Madrid legend Raúl González for fifth place on the all-time scoring list.
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini stuck to his pre-match promise of maintaining a full-throttle style, and his side seized control shortly after halftime. Half-time substitute Rodrigo Mora fed Malen, who took a precise first touch and lifted the ball over Courtois to restore the lead in the 51st minute.
Just six minutes later, Malen raced onto a through ball and powered home his second goal following a VAR review that overturned an initial offside flag. Real Madrid Mounts Late Corner Kick Comeback Trailing 3-1 and facing a rare European defeat, Real Madrid found their breakthrough through a relentless barrage of set-pieces in the game's dying moments.
In the 83rd minute, a short corner routine saw goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini push a header into the path of Carlos Espí, who tucked home the rebound from close range. Two minutes later, another corner resulted in Endrick powering a header directly into the net to equalize at 3-3.