Valverde's Late Blast Keeps Real Madrid Perfect as AEK Athens Fall 3-2

Real Madrid needed a moment of individual brilliance to keep their flawless Champions League run alive on Wednesday night, and Federico Valverde provided it. With the match against AEK Athens balanced at 2-2, the Uruguayan midfielder lashed home a stunning effort from distance to secure a 3-2 victory for the Spanish giants in Greece. The win preserved Madrid's 100 percent start to the league phase and underlined why they remain one of the most dangerous sides in Europe when a game hangs in the balance. AEK had refused to be overawed on their own ground, twice finding a way back into the contest and pushing the visitors far harder than many expected. Madrid, though, have built a reputation over many seasons for finding a winner when it matters most, and Valverde's strike was the latest example of that habit. The result keeps Madrid among the early pacesetters in the 36-team standings, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, who had already completed a perfect start of their own. For AEK, there will be frustration at coming so close to a famous result, but also encouragement from a performance that troubled one of the continent's heavyweights for long spells. Madrid move on with maximum points intact and momentum firmly behind them.