Valverde’s stoppage-time goal gives Madrid 3-2 win at AEK

Real Madrid beat AEK Athens 3-2 on November 4, scoring in stoppage time to preserve their perfect start in the Champions League league phase. Federico Valverde struck the winner after Madrid had twice come from behind, with AEK leading through Aboubakary Koita and Stavros Pilios. Koita put the Greek side ahead in the 12th minute. Jude Bellingham equalised in the 32nd, finishing a Marc Cucurella cross with a backheel. AEK regained the lead in the 75th minute when Pilios converted Koita’s pass, but Kylian Mbappe levelled three minutes later from a Denzel Dumfries delivery. Valverde, who started on the bench, scored the decisive goal in the second minute of added time, according to several match accounts. One report placed the goal in the 90th minute; the accounts agree that it came late and gave Madrid the victory. The result took the Spanish club to 12 points from four matches, keeping its record at four wins. Paris Saint-Germain also had 12 points and were ahead on goal difference, according to reports. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said he had asked Valverde to attack space rather than specifically to shoot. Valverde said his teammates’ confidence helped him make the decision to...