Real Madrid came from 3-1 down to beat Roma 4-3 in a remarkable Champions League comeback, scoring three times in the final seven minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma appeared to be in control after Donyell Malen’s second goal early in the second half, but Real Madrid turned the match around through Carlos Espi, Endrick and Antonio Rudiger.
Marten de Roon had given the hosts a deserved lead in the 20th minute, sweeping a 25-yard effort beyond Thibaut Courtois. Roma almost doubled their advantage when Malen’s powerful shot slipped under the goalkeeper, only for the ball to be cleared from the line.
Real levelled five minutes after the opener when Mario Hermoso misjudged an interception, allowing Kylian Mbappe to run through and score with a deflected finish.
The goal came in Mbappe’s 100th Champions League appearance. At 27, he became the youngest player to reach the milestone, while his 72nd goal in the competition moved him into the all-time top five ahead of Real Madrid great Raul Gonzalez.
Real Madrid complete late Champions League turnaround
Roma regained the initiative after half-time. Malen lifted the ball over Courtois with his second touch to restore the hosts’ lead, then powered in his second six minutes later after a VAR review overturned an offside decision.
Mbappe threatened twice in response and had another effort ruled out for offside, but Real eventually found a route back through set-pieces. Espi converted a close-range rebound after a corner, and Endrick headed in another two minutes later.
Rudiger completed the turnaround in the 90th minute, getting ahead of his marker to guide home from close range and leave Roma stunned.
The result gives Real Madrid six points from their opening two matches in the Champions League league phase, while Roma remain on one point.
Roma supporters also paid tribute to former manager Jose Mourinho before the match. The Portuguese led the club to the UEFA Conference League title and an Europa League final during his two-and-a-half-year spell in charge, and was welcomed with banners and chants as Roma played their first home Champions League match in more than seven years.
