Valverde does it again for Real Madrid

José Mourinho's AEK Athens led this Champions League group-stage tie not once but twice, and both times Real Madrid had to claw their way level before Valverde settled it late on with a long-range winner that sent Xabi Alonso's side away from Greece with their perfect record intact.

The scoreline, 3-2, tells you this was no coronation. AEK scored twice against a side that arrived unbeaten in the competition, and for long stretches it looked like Mourinho's team might pull off the kind of European scalp that gets replayed for years. Real Madrid had to come from behind twice before Valverde struck.

Valverde, again

This is becoming a habit for the Uruguayan. A late winner from range against a European opponent fighting for its life is exactly the kind of moment that keeps turning up on his highlight reel, and exactly the kind of moment Real Madrid keep needing from him.

Mourinho's night in Athens

For Mourinho, there will be frustration buried under the result. AEK Athens took the lead twice against one of the continent's heavyweights and still walked away with nothing. Real Madrid, under Alonso, now go to the next round of fixtures with their group-stage record untouched and an away win on foreign soil.