Valverde's Late Strike Seals Real Comeback Win over AEK, Liverpool Lose in Istanbul Despite Leading Twice

Real Madrid enjoyed a thrilling night in the Champions League, coming from behind to beat Athens side AEK 3-2. Liverpool, meanwhile, lost by the same 3-2 scoreline away to Fenerbahce in Istanbul — the Reds led twice but still left the field defeated.

At AEK's home ground on Wednesday night, the hosts were on the attack from the start. They took the lead in the 12th minute through Aboubakary Koita, whose shot from outside the box beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Real pushed to get back into the match after falling behind. In the 32nd minute, Jude Bellingham equalised with a superb backheel shot from Marc Cucurella's cross. There were no further goals in the first half.

The contest stayed intense after the break. Stavros Pilios put AEK ahead again in the 75th minute, but just three minutes later Kylian Mbappe scored from Denzel Dumfries's cross to bring Real level once more.

In added time, Federico Valverde confirmed Real's victory with a fine shot. The Spanish giants left with a 3-2 win and now sit second in the table with 12 points from four wins in four matches.

In Istanbul, Liverpool started well against Fenerbahce, taking the lead in the 25th minute through Trey Nyoni. Just four minutes later, however, Mason Greenwood equalised from a free-kick.

Liverpool went ahead again in the second half, Alexander Isak heading in from Cody Gakpo's cross in the 69th minute. The joy was short-lived: four minutes later Archie Brown levelled the scores for Fenerbahce once more.

Then, in the 79th minute, Vedat Muriqi's header gave the hosts the winning goal. Liverpool left with a 3-2 defeat, which also ended their run of three consecutive wins in the Champions League.

Elsewhere, Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 3-2, with Erling Haaland scoring the winner in the 78th minute. Arsenal defeated Slavia Prague 2-1, while Como recorded the night's biggest win, thrashing Lens 9-1 in France.