Jose Mourinho hails Real Madrid's courage after dramatic AEK Athens comeback

The 15-time European champions looked in danger of suffering a shock defeat in Greece after Aboubakary Koita fired the hosts ahead early on, but Jude Bellingham restored parity in the 32nd minute with an exquisite backheel finish.

AEK refused to back down and appeared poised for a famous victory when Stavros Pilios struck with 15 minutes remaining. After making a goal-saving block to deny Mbappe, Pilios raced forward and finished at the near post to put the hosts back in front.

But Real Madrid responded almost immediately, with Mbappe converting Denzel Dumfries' delivery at the far post three minutes later to make it 2-2.

The visitors continued to press for a winner, and Valverde delivered in spectacular fashion, unleashing a powerful long-range strike in stoppage time to complete the comeback and make it four wins out of four in the Champions League.

After the match, coach Jose Mourinho praised the character of his players and their ability to pull off late wins, something they have already done several times this season.

âœThese games in the final minutes... only we can win them," said Mourinho.

"And if we do it, it's because all of us feel that we can. The players have courage. I'm very lucky to have players of this quality. Very lucky."

Mourinho also acknowledged that AEK Athens had pushed them to the limit.

"We played against a very difficult team, who played extremely well, better than ever. From the first minute, they were very compact and played directly. An extraordinary game from them. A team with legs, intensity. They are the reason we didn't play the perfect game. They played very well."

Still, Madrid's quality came through at decisive moments, the coach added.

"Within all that difficulty, we were always in the game. We knew how to respond at the two critical moments. We showed personality despite being behind. And in the final minute, with the game stretched and both teams trying to win... the team with more individual quality won."

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