Real Madrid staged a dramatic second-half comeback from two goals down to defeat AS Roma 4-3 at the Stadio Olimpico, extending the hosts’ winless run in European competition to five matches.
Jose Mourinho returned to the city where he won the Conference League four years ago, looking to steady Real Madrid’s patchy away form. However, the Italian side started brightly, testing Thibaut Courtois through early efforts from Matias Soule, Paulo Dybala, and Mario Hermoso.
Despite losing Manu Kone to an early injury, Roma grabbed a deserved lead in the 20th minute. Dybala won possession in midfield, allowing Soule to set up Marten de Roon, whose deflected long-range shot beat Courtois. After Donyell Malen nearly doubled the lead, Real Madrid responded on the night Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th Champions League appearance. The France captain leveled the score when his deflected strike looped over Pierluigi Gollini. Jude Bellingham almost put the visitors ahead just before the break, but shot wide from Vinicius Junior’s cross.
The Italian hosts started the second half on the front foot, taking advantage of a defensive mistake six minutes after the restart. Courtois’ pass to Vinicius Junior was intercepted, enabling substitute Rodrigo Mora to set up Malen for a close-range finish. Malen struck again shortly after, latching onto Soule’s defense-splitting through ball to make it 3-1. Mbappe thought he had pulled one back, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Real Madrid mounted an extraordinary fightback late in the game. In the 83rd minute, Carlos Espi reacted quickest to tap in a rebound after Gollini saved Endrick’s header. Just two minutes later, Endrick equalized with a precise header from a Arda Guler corner. Guler’s pinpoint set-piece deliveries continued to trouble the Roma defense, ultimately setting up Antonio Rudiger to volley home the late winner and complete a breathtaking comeback.
The late collapse leaves Gian Piero Gasperini’s side with four defeats in their last six European home matches, while Real Madrid secured their 20th win in their last 22 Champions League games against Italian opposition.