Real Madrid complete seven-minute comeback to beat Roma 4-3 as Mourinho hails unstoppable finish
Madrid stun Roma with late three-goal blitz
Real Madrid launched another memorable European comeback on Wednesday, overturning a two-goal deficit in just seven minutes to defeat Roma 4-3 in the Champions League league phase.
It looked as though Los Blancos would suffer their first European defeat since Jose Mourinho's return to the dugout when Donyell Malen's second goal put the Giallorossi two to the good in the 57th minute. But Carlos Espí's opportunistic finish gave Madrid hope in the 83rd minute, Endrick equalised soon afterwards, and Antonio Rüdiger volleyed in a last-minute winner against his former club.
A record-breaking comeback
Excluding games that went to extra time, it was the latest that an away side has ever been two or more goals behind in a Champions League match and gone on to win. Madrid's five European Cup or Champions League wins when trailing by two or more goals are the most of any team, while Roma have now lost only two matches in the competition after leading by at least two, both against Los Blancos.
Roma had dominated the first half, restricting Madrid to one shot on target and 0.28 expected goals (xG). Madrid hit the target seven times in the second period and accumulated 1.15 xG.
Mourinho: 'The only ones who were dead were the Roma players'
Mourinho felt Roma ran out of steam after a dominant first half.
"It was two games in one – Roma were superior in every aspect for the first half, and then we were impossible to stop for 20 minutes," Mourinho told Amazon Prime Video Italia. "They surprised us at the start by using Matias Soule on the wing and creating superiority in that area. We conceded a ridiculous goal that you cannot allow at this level."After going 3-1 down, perhaps everyone thought the game was dead, but the only ones who were dead were the Roma players. It is very difficult to play with this intensity and the style of football that they have. We made some changes, because conceding three, four or five goals doesn't make much difference. Roma were unable to handle that avalanche of attacking football."
Having also beaten Serie A champions Inter on matchday one, Madrid are one of nine teams with maximum points after the opening games. Mourinho pointed to his Benfica experience, when his side left it late to qualify from the league stage last season.
"Six points is halfway towards qualification. With Benfica, after four games last year, we had four points and we qualified," he said. "It's not over yet, but we already have six points, and this is important for us. Six matches remain, and we've played against two top-level Italian teams. It's very good for us."
Vinicius ban row
Mourinho was also asked about news that Vinicius Junior must serve a four-match domestic ban, after being sent off for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during a 1-0 win over Villarreal in LaLiga. The announcement came shortly before Wednesday's game kicked off, and Mourinho called the timing disrespectful.
"At the very least, it's disrespectful. Finding out two hours before the match that he has a four-game suspension... It doesn't deserve any comment from me. Madridistas are not stupid, and I'll do everything possible to open people's eyes."
Vinicius will miss LaLiga games against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia, but remains eligible for Madrid's Champions League meetings with RB Leipzig and AEK Athens before the November international break.