Real Madrid produced a sensational recovery from 3-1 down to score three late goals and snatch a superb Champions League win over Roma on Jose Mourinho`s return to the Stadio Olimpico.

Mourinho guided Roma to the Conference League title in 2021-22 and then to the Europa League final the following season, with home fans producing several banners celebrating their former boss.

But Mourinho`s current side Real looked to be heading for defeat when they fell two goals behind in the 83rd minute.

However, substitutes Carlos Espi and Endrick scored to make it 3-3 before Antonio Rudiger converted a dramatic close-range 90th-minute winner.

Mourinho`s changes proved crucial as Roma could not cope with corners from another substitute, Arda Guler, and crumbled late on.

Espi scored five minutes after coming on when he converted a rebound after Endrick`s header had been parried. The Brazilian forward then headed in from Guler`s corner before Rudiger steered in another Guler set-piece with a close-range volley.

It was a remarkable finish to a thrilling match.

The hosts had taken a deserved lead in the 20th minute when Marten de Roon produced a first-time 20-yard shot from Matias Soule`s pass. However, Real were only behind for five minutes.

Kylian Mbappe, making his 100th Champions League appearance, saw his strike take a deflection off Gianluca Mancini with the ball looping up and over goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini for his 72nd goal in the competition.

But two goals in a six-minute spell in the second half from Donyell Malen looked to have taken the game away from Real.

The Dutch striker, who played for Aston Villa in 2025, made it 2-1 when Vinicius Jr carelessly gave the ball away with an attempted flick and Malen`s shot went in via a deflection off Real captain Federico Valverde.

It soon became 3-1 with Malen finishing coolly. The goal was originally flagged offside, but a check by the video assistant referee showed Valverde had played him onside.

Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini made a number of defensive substitutions in a bid to hold on to the win, before Mourinho`s changes flipped the game.

Real, six points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga, have now won both of their Champions League games, while Roma have one point after a draw and this loss.

Source: BBC