Rabat – Real Madrid produced a remarkable late comeback at the Stadio Olimpico today, overturning a 3-1 deficit to defeat Roma 4-3 in Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Madrid appeared to be heading for defeat with less than 10 minutes remaining before three late goals completely transformed the match, giving Mourinho a memorable victory on his return to the stadium where he coached Roma between 2021 and 2024.
Roma made the stronger start and took the lead in the 20th minute through Marten de Roon, whose effort from outside the area took a deflection off Ibrahima Konaté and wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois.
Kylian Mbappé responded five minutes later. The French forward took advantage of a defensive mistake from Mario Hermoso before his shot deflected off Gianluca Mancini and beat Pierluigi Gollini, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.
Malen puts Madrid on the brink
Roma regained control after the break through Donyell Malen.
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The Dutch forward restored the hosts’ lead in the 51st minute after a Real Madrid mistake in midfield before striking again six minutes later, finishing Matías Soulé’s through ball to make it 3-1.
Mourinho reacted immediately, replacing Vinicius Junior and Denzel Dumfries with Endrick and Arda Güler. Mbappé thought he had reduced the deficit in the 69th minute, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The Madrid coach then introduced Carlos Espí, and the changes ultimately transformed the contest.
Three goals in seven minutes complete comeback
Espí began the remontada in the 83rd minute, converting at the far post to reduce Roma’s advantage to 3-2.
Just three minutes later, Güler delivered a corner into the area and Endrick rose to head home the equalizer, scoring a crucial goal after Mourinho had publicly backed the Brazilian earlier this week despite his limited playing time this season.
Madrid were not finished.
In the 90th minute, another Güler corner dropped inside the six-yard box, where Rüdiger managed to stretch out a leg while falling and send the ball into the net, completing an extraordinary turnaround from 3-1 down to 4-3 in only seven minutes.
The victory gives Real Madrid six points from their opening two Champions League matches, following their 2-1 win over Inter Milan on Matchday 1. Roma remain on one point after previously drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahçe.
Mourinho’s team will next host RB Leipzig on October 21, while Roma welcome Slovan Bratislava a day earlier as the league phase continues.
