Captain Federico Valverde's late stunner sinks AEK Athens and keeps Real Madrid's Champions League record spotless.
Real Madrid have shown again that they know how to win in Europe. Captain Federico Valverde delivered a late moment of quality to beat AEK Athens and keep the Spanish giants' Champions League campaign perfect.
It was the kind of finish that decides tight European nights. Valverde stepped up when the game needed a spark, and his strike was enough to send Madrid home with another three points.
The result extends Madrid's 100% start to the competition and adds to a growing pattern of late wins. They are not always dominant, but they find a way to win, which is a trademark of this club on the continental stage.
For AEK Athens, it is a painful evening. The Greek side have now lost three games in a row, and they will need to regroup quickly if they want to stay in the conversation in this campaign.
Madrid will take the confidence and the points. With a perfect record and their captain leading from the front, they look every bit the side nobody wants to face in the knockout rounds.
