Real Madrid Stun Roma With Late Comeback
Real Madrid produced a remarkable late comeback to defeat AS Roma 4-3 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, after recovering from a two-goal deficit at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Roma looked on course for an important home victory after Donyell Malen scored twice in the second half to give the Italian side a 3-1 advantage. However, Real Madrid struck three times in the closing stages, with Antonio Rüdiger scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute.
The hosts made a strong start and took the lead in the 20th minute through Marten de Roon, who finished a move created by Matías Soulé.
Real Madrid responded five minutes later when Kylian Mbappé found the net in the 25th minute. His effort from outside the penalty area took a deflection off Gianluca Mancini, leaving Roma goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini unable to prevent the equaliser.
The teams went into the break level at 1-1, but Roma regained the advantage shortly after half-time.
Malen put Roma ahead again in the 51st minute after receiving a pass from substitute Rodrigo Mora. The forward struck once more in the 57th minute, finishing a pass from Soulé to extend Roma’s lead to 3-1.
With a two-goal cushion, Roma appeared to have taken control of the contest. Real Madrid, however, refused to give up and changed the momentum through their substitutes.
Carlos Espí reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute after Gollini failed to hold a corner, allowing the forward to capitalise on the rebound and make it 3-2.
Two minutes later, Endrick brought Real Madrid level at 3-3, heading home from an Arda Güler corner as the visitors completed their comeback.
The late pressure continued, and Real Madrid found the winner in the 90th minute when Rüdiger finished another corner delivered by Güler to put the Spanish giants ahead for the first time in the match.
Roma were left disappointed after allowing a two-goal lead to slip away, while Real Madrid celebrated a dramatic away victory in the Champions League.
Malen’s brace and Soulé’s creative contribution had placed Roma in a strong position, but Real Madrid’s effectiveness from set pieces proved decisive, with all three of their second-half goals coming from corners.
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
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