Real Madrid produced a remarkable late turnaround to beat Roma 4-3 in the Champions League at the Stadio Olimpico, recovering from a 3-1 deficit with three goals in seven minutes.
Roma started strongly and took the lead in the 19th minute when Marten de Roon’s shot from outside the area deflected on its way past Thibaut Courtois. Kylian Mbappé equalised in the 24th minute with a long-range effort that also took a deflection, leaving the teams level at halftime.
Donyell Malen restored Roma’s lead six minutes into the second half after Real Madrid lost possession in midfield, then struck again in the 57th minute after a pass from Matías Soulé. Mbappé had a second-half goal ruled out for offside, while Roma continued to threaten before Madrid changed the game with substitutions.
José Mourinho replaced Vinícius Júnior and Denzel Dumfries with Endrick and Arda Güler in the 58th minute, then later introduced Carlos Espí and Álvaro Carreras. Espí pulled one back in the 83rd minute, finishing from a corner after Endrick’s header and a rebound.
Endrick levelled two minutes later with another Güler corner, heading past Pierluigi Gollini. Antonio Rüdiger completed the comeback in the 89th minute with an acrobatic finish from a third Güler corner. All three late goals began with deliveries from the Turkish midfielder.
It also marked an emotional return to Rome for the Portuguese coach, who led Roma to the Europa Conference League title and the Europa League final during his previous two-and-a-half-year spell. Roma supporters welcomed him with banners and chants at the club’s first home Champions League match in more than seven years.
The match was also overshadowed by Vinícius’ disciplinary situation. Spain’s football authorities announced a four-match domestic suspension for the Brazilian shortly before kickoff following his red card against Villarreal. Mourinho criticised the timing, saying the decision should not have been made two hours before an important match. Vinícius was substituted in the 59th minute after making the error that preceded Malen’s second goal, and later said he was confident he would return to form.