Valverde's Stunning Strike Seals Real Madrid's Dramatic Champions League Win Over AEK Athens

Real Madrid edge AEK Athens in thrilling Champions League clash. AP Federico Valverde lashed home a stunning effort from distance to snatch Real Madrid a late 3-2 victory at AEK Athens on Wednesday (Nov.

4) in the Champions League and preserve their 100 percent start. Jose Mourinho's side twice came from behind against the Greek champions before Valverde claimed all three points for his side, level with holders Paris Saint-Germain on four wins from four league phase games.

Aboubakary Koita sent AEK ahead after 12 minutes and Jude Bellingham equalised with a sublime flick for the record 15-time winners. Get it: Fast, verified news for FREE.

(but) I didn't ask him to shoot, Mourinho told Movistar about his match-winner, who came on in the second half. "I told him was that the game was wide open, it was being played at great speed.

a fresh player like Fede, with his ability to cover a lot of ground, I told him to attack the space and arrive in the dangerous areas." Madrid have now won seven straight games across all competitions. "We fought for (the victory), and with the score at 2-2 we didn't settle," added Mourinho.

"It would always be an acceptable result, we'd be on 10 points, but we wanted more."

Mourinho started with Vinicius Junior on the left flank, after he missed the team's previous two matches through suspension, in La Liga.

The hosts started with huge energy at the Agia Sophia stadium and it was not overly surprising when they took an early lead. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved well from former Los Blancos striker Luka Jovic before Koita sent AEK ahead.

The Mauritanian winger shifted cleverly inside Marc Cucurella and thumped home at the near post, catching out Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper saved again from Jovic as AEK tried to make their strong start count.

However they inevitably began to tire and Madrid began to take the reins in the Greek capital.