Real Madrid beat Roma 4-3 with three late goals on Mourinho's return to Roma

Real Madrid beat Roma 4-3 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday in the Champions League league phase. They trailed 3-1, then scored three goals in about seven minutes late in the match. Carlos Espi, Endrick and Antonio Rudiger scored the late goals. Rudiger's winner came in the 90th minute.

The match marked Jose Mourinho's return to Roma, a club he previously managed, now as Real Madrid manager. At Roma, he led the club to the UEFA Conference League title and a Europa League final. Roma supporters displayed banners honouring him. Real Madrid have taken maximum points from their league phase matches so far. Roma are coached by Gian Piero Gasperini.

How the match unfolded

According to Al Jazeera, Marten de Roon gave Roma the lead in the 20th minute with a shot from 25 yards. Kylian Mbappe equalised before half-time with a deflected shot after Mario Hermoso misjudged an interception. Al Jazeera reported that it was Mbappe's 100th Champions League appearance, making him the youngest player to reach that milestone, aged 27. It was also his 72nd Champions League goal, moving him ahead of Raul Gonzalez into the competition's all-time top five. Mbappe had a second goal ruled out for offside.

Early in the second half, Donyell Malen scored twice within six minutes, according to Al Jazeera. Half-time substitute Rodrigo Mora assisted the first. The second was awarded after a VAR review, having initially been flagged offside.

ESPN reported that Mourinho brought on Endrick, replacing Vinicius Junior, and Arda Guler in the 59th minute, and later added Espi and Bernardo Silva. According to Al Jazeera, all three late goals stemmed from corners, and Endrick's goal was a header. ESPN reported that Rudiger's winner was a header assisted by Guler, his second assist of the match.

Al Jazeera reported that it was Roma's first home Champions League match in more than seven years. Roma have one point from their opening two league phase matches, according to the same outlet.

What each side says

At his post-match news conference, Mourinho took responsibility for the first half and said he had been outsmarted by Gasperini, according to ESPN. ESPN quoted him as saying: "The first half was the coach's fault; the second half was the players' fault." He praised Roma: "today's opponent was incredibly strong. They are a formidable team."

Mourinho said Vinicius lost possession before Roma's second goal. "It's natural for him not to be happy. ... Frustration is normal. But after the match, he was very happy about the win," ESPN quoted him as saying. Vinicius told reporters he had not understood the substitution and that it was "natural to be angry", while acknowledging the change paid off, according to ESPN.

Mourinho said he was "speechless" at his reception. ESPN reported long applause before kickoff and a banner reading: "Whoever brings glory to Rome, Rome will honor forever."

Before the match, Gasperini said Roma would not compromise on their attacking style, according to Al Jazeera. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include post-match comments from Gasperini or Roma players.

Analysis

The result keeps Real Madrid on maximum points, while Roma have one point from two matches, according to Al Jazeera. That leaves Roma with ground to make up in the league phase, though many matches remain. Mourinho's substitutions coincided with the comeback, and he credited them. But the reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not establish how much of the turnaround they explain. Vinicius's public reaction to his substitution may draw attention in the coming weeks. Both he and Mourinho described it in measured terms. The warm reception for Mourinho suggests his Roma tenure is still viewed positively by many supporters.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.