Late Drama in Champions League: Valverde Secures Real Madrid Win, Liverpool Stumbles, and Como Dominates

Federico Valverde's stoppage-time heroics preserved Real Madrid's flawless Uefa Champions League record on Wednesday, while Liverpool endured a significant 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahce. In a stunning upset, Italian side Como achieved one of the competition's most remarkable results, crushing Lens 9-1.

Real Madrid twice fought back from behind in Athens before Valverde's 92nd-minute goal sealed a dramatic victory against AEK. This win keeps Jose Mourinho's team second in the league-phase standings with 12 points, trailing Paris Saint-Germain only on goal difference.

Liverpool, meanwhile, relinquished their lead twice in Istanbul, with former Anfield favourite Dirk Kuyt playing a key role in Fenerbahce's first Champions League win since 2008. Manchester City also required a late goal to edge out RB Leipzig 3-2, courtesy of Erling Haaland's winner. Arsenal held on to defeat Slavia Prague 2-1, moving up to third place with 10 points.

However, the most resounding performance of the night occurred in France, where Cesc Fabregas' Como side scored six second-half goals, equalling the competition's largest winning margin.

Madrid Leave It Late

Mourinho's Real Madrid appeared to be on the verge of losing their perfect record when AEK took the lead on two occasions. Nevertheless, the Spanish giants demonstrated their characteristic resilience to secure a fourth consecutive victory. Aboubakary Koita opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a precise shot into the top corner. Thibaut Courtois made a save to deny Luka Jovic before Jude Bellingham equalised in the 32nd minute with a deft backheel finish from Marc Cucurella's pass. AEK regained the lead in the 75th minute through Stavros Pilios, but their advantage was short-lived as Kylian Mbappe levelled the score three minutes later from a Denzel Dumfries cross. Valverde then delivered the decisive blow with a long-range effort in the second minute of stoppage time, stunning the home crowd.

"In the two critical moments, 1-0 and 2-1, we knew how to react, show personality, and chase the result," Mourinho commented. "The team with more individual quality won, where one player produced that fantastic goal."

Kuyt Gets One Over Liverpool

Liverpool's winning streak came to a painful end as Fenerbahce came from behind twice before securing a memorable victory with Vedat Muriqi's late header. Trey Nyoni gave Liverpool the lead in the 25th minute with a deflected volley. Mason Greenwood equalised four minutes later with a free-kick that also took a deflection. Liverpool went ahead again in the 69th minute when substitutes Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak combined, with Isak scoring with a close-range header. However, the lead lasted only four minutes. N'Golo Kante's delivery from a short corner was diverted by Gakpo, allowing Archie Brown to score at the far post. Brown then provided the assist for Muriqi's winning header.

"The main reason I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set pieces," said Liverpool manager Iraola. "We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce. We concede from a free-kick, a corner and even from the long throw at the end. It's frustration because it's a difficult place to come here and play."

For Kuyt, who had a successful playing career at Anfield, this result was particularly satisfying in his interim managerial role. "We made a miracle tonight; not many expected us to win," the Dutchman stated. Liverpool drop to eighth place with nine points, while Fenerbahce climb to 19th with five.

Haaland Has Final Say for City

Manchester City narrowly avoided an upset against Leipzig, securing three points to move up to seventh in the standings. Castello Lukeba's own goal gave City the lead in the 37th minute, but Ridle Baku equalised shortly after half-time. Enzo Fernandez restored City's advantage with a header in the 58th minute, only for Antonio Nusa to level the score again three minutes later. Haaland ultimately settled the contest in the 78th minute, sliding in at the far post to convert Elliot Anderson's low cross. The Norwegian striker has now scored 13 goals against Leipzig across his career.

"Overall, I thought the performance was good," said City manager Enzo Maresca. "For some moments, we struggled. For some moments, we were very good." "But we conceded two silly goals that we need to avoid." Leipzig remains in the elimination places, six points behind City.

Como Make History in France

Under manager Cesc Fabregas, Como continued their impressive debut Champions League campaign with a remarkable 9-1 victory over Lens, matching the competition's biggest winning margin. Anastasios Douvikas was instrumental, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist. This followed their earlier 4-1 win against Manchester United. Como led 3-0 at halftime and added six more goals in the second half. Nico Paz, Lucas da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina, and Matteo Papaccioli also scored, while Ruben Aguilar netted a consolation for Lens. The result equalled Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid's 8-0 victory against Malmo in 2015. Como also became only the second team to score nine goals in a Champions League match, after Bayern Munich.

Fabregas, however, urged his players to stay focused. "It was a beautiful night for Como, but feet on the ground, humility and keep working," he said. "We have to learn to think, 'OK, it's a good day, but we have to continue'." Como now sits fourth in the standings with nine points, having scored 19 goals in their first four matches.