Roma and Real Madrid played out a seven-goal Champions League match at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, with the visitors winning 4-3 after overturning a two-goal deficit in the closing stages.
According to Sky Sport, the evening also marked José Mourinho's return to the Olimpico as an opposing coach. The Portuguese manager, who led Roma to the Conference League title in 2022 and an Europa League final the following season, was greeted with chants, banners and flags from the home support in the opening minutes.
Roma, coached by Gian Piero Gasperini, took the lead through Maarten de Roon in the 20th minute. The midfielder struck a right-footed shot from the edge of the area, and a slight deflection off Konaté left Courtois beaten.
Real Madrid equalised five minutes later through Kylian Mbappé. His shot took a decisive deflection off Mancini, restoring parity against the run of play. Sky Sport noted that Courtois had earlier denied Malen with a reflex save on the line after his own error.
The first half ended 1-1. Sky Sport reported that Roma had dominated before Mbappé's goal, with Hermoso forcing a save from Courtois and Dybala sending a sliding effort narrowly wide. After the equaliser, the contest became more balanced, with Cucurella and Bellingham coming close for the visitors.
Why it matters
The result reshapes the picture in this season's Champions League group phase. For Roma, a two-goal lead against the competition's most decorated club slipped away in the final ten minutes, a collapse that could prove costly in the standings. For Real Madrid, the comeback demonstrated the depth Mourinho can call on from the bench, with substitutes directly involved in the late goals.
The match also underlined the emotional weight of Mourinho's return. Sky Sport described the home crowd's tribute as a notable feature of the opening exchanges, a reminder of his standing among Roma supporters despite now managing against them.
Malen's double puts Roma in control
Roma's second-half performance initially looked decisive. Malen scored his first Champions League goal for the club in the 51st minute. According to Sky Sport, a Real Madrid turnover allowed Mora to advance and slip a through ball to Malen, who was slightly left of centre inside the area. His left-footed attempt took a sliding deflection off Valverde, leaving Courtois with no chance.
Six minutes later, Malen struck again. The move began with Bellingham going down in the Roma box, with Real Madrid appealing for a penalty. The referee waved play on, and Sky Sport reported the decision as correct. Soulé, who finished the night with two assists, collected the ball, moved inside and released Malen in behind. The Dutch forward beat Courtois, and although the goal was initially flagged offside, the VAR overturned the call. Roma led 3-1.
Gasperini was forced into changes before and during the second half. Koné picked up an injury and was replaced by Pisilli. Dybala, who had been lively in the opening period, remained in the dressing room at half-time with a muscular problem and was replaced by Mora. Sky Sport also reported that Soulé, described as excellent on the night, made way for Pellegrini in the 63rd minute, with Balerdi coming on for the booked Mancini.
Real Madrid pushed forward as the half wore on. Mbappé forced Gollini into a save with a low left-footed strike at the near post in the 62nd minute, and the goalkeeper was called into action again shortly afterwards. Diomandé had a goal ruled out for offside in the 68th minute after rounding Gollini, with the flag raised on the through ball. Bernardo Silva replaced Tchouameni as Mourinho emptied his bench, later bringing on Carreras for Cucurella and Espí for Diomande.
Three goals in seven minutes turn the tie
The game changed in the 83rd minute. From a short corner on the left, a header at the near post was saved by Gollini, but Espí reacted fastest to the rebound. Sky Sport reported that the goal was initially disallowed for offside before the VAR confirmed it. Real Madrid were back within one.
Two minutes later, the visitors equalised. Another corner, this time delivered directly into the area, was met by a clean header from Endrick that Gollini could not reach to his right. The Brazilian's goal made it 3-3.
In the 90th minute, Real Madrid completed the turnaround. Guler delivered a cross with his left foot, and Rüdiger, arriving in the six-yard box between Molina and Wesley, struck with his left. Sky Sport reported that the German did not celebrate and appeared almost apologetic towards his former supporters.
There was still time for one more chance. In the 87th minute, Bellingham headed a corner from the right narrowly wide as Roma struggled to contain the pressure. Earlier, in the 75th minute, Bellingham and Balerdi had a brief confrontation in the Roma area, which the referee calmed without issuing cards. Wesley was booked in the 69th minute for a poor challenge on Diomandè, and Mancini had become the first player cautioned in the 59th minute for holding Mbappé.
What to watch next
Both clubs now turn to their remaining group fixtures, with Roma facing the challenge of recovering from a defeat that slipped from their grasp and Real Madrid looking to build on a comeback that kept their campaign on track.
