AS Roma v Real Madrid
Play By Play
Annnnnd breathe! The full-time whistle goes, and Real Madrid have pulled off a sensational comeback to win a Champions League classic 4-3 against Roma at Stadio Olimpico! Los Blancos looked completely out of it as two second-half goals from Malen had Roma 3-1 to the good. But three goals in the space of a wild seven-minute spell in the second half has seen Mourinho emerge victorious over his former employers. In truth, Madrid - who ended up with a superior xG of 1.83 to 1.43 - can count themselves really lucky, because for large periods of this game they were absolutely miles off it. But in true Madrid style, they just found a way to get the job done despite the odds being against them. The teams were level at 1-1 by half-time with De Roon and Mbappe trading deflected efforts. Malen put Roma in front shortly after the restart, keeping his cool when slid in by Mora after poor work from Vinicius. Malen was teed up by Soule to clinically slot past Courtois for his second of the game, with the goal given after an intervention from VAR after the Dutchman was initially deemed to be offside. But then, Roma just absolutely fell to bits from set-pieces, and they saw their lead reduced when Espi reacted fastest when Endrick's header from a quickly taken corner was spilled by Gollini. Guler's corner in the 85th minute was then headed in by Endrick, before the same player took another corner - this time from the right - and Rudiger bundled home from close range to complete a memorable comeback. The upshot is that Madrid now have two wins from two having beaten Inter on MD1, while Roma somehow only have one point to show for their efforts after a draw with Fenerbahce last time out. Thanks for sticking with us for this one folks, until next time!
FULL-TIME: ROMA 3-4 REAL MADRID
Carreras goes into the book for an ugly hack at Pellegrini.
Roma look completely shell-shocked. This is just so typical of Madrid in this competition. Is there time for one last twist? It will need to happen fast for Roma if so.
Amid the chaos, five minutes of additional time was added, meaning Roma have just a few minutes to respond now. Endrick has another shot on target for Madrid. What a finish to this game!
Guler has made a big difference since he came on, and it's another assist from a corner!
OOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL! OH, MY DAYS! THEY CAN MAKE THE MOST OF IT! ANOTHER CORNER, ANOTHER GOAL! It's Guler again, who delivers from the right-hand side this time, and it's Rudiger who manages to get in front of his marker and side-foot home from close range! Madrid have turned this around remarkably! They lead 4-3!
Madrid win yet another corner, Roma haven't defended these well...they couldn't...could they?
Pellegrini goes into the book now for a late clip on Bernardo Silva.
CLOSE! Madrid win another corner, which Guler takes again. Bellingham meets it, but he nods wide of the post! He will think he should score! Did Rudiger get in his way?!
Guler gets the assist from the corner, it was such an easy goal.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL! MADRID ARE LEVEL! WHERE ON EARTH DID THIS COME FROM?! They've been all at sea all the second half, but with five minutes left they are level! It's a routine goal, as Guler clips in the corner from the left, and the unmarked Endrick rises high to thump his header low past Gollini! It's 3-3!
Carreras wins a corner for Madrid, can they make use of this set-piece?
GOOOOAAAAAALLLL! IT DOES STAND! Well, Madrid took the corner short, and Guler clips a cross onto the head of Endrick. His effort is poorly parried by Gollini, and Espi reacts quickest to tap home. After a review the goal stands, and Madrid are back in this! Roma lead 3-2 still, though.
GOOOO-NO AGAIN! Well, this looks close once more. Madrid take the corner short, it's clipped in and Endrick's header is not held by Gollini. Espi reacts quickest to tap in. It's ruled out, but this should be given.
Guler clips one from the right towards Mbappe at the back post, but Pellegrini makes the intervention.
Another Roma change here as Hermoso makes way for close-season arrival Koulierakis.
Guler's corner is towards Bellingham. At first, a corner is awarded as the referee felt it came off Ndicka. However, VAR intervenes and a goal-kick is given instead.
And Espi enters the action as well, with Diomande taking a seat.
Cucurella is brought off, with Carreras replacing him at left-back.
Endrick gets around Hermoso, but Wesley gets back to block the cross for a corner. There are a couple of Madrid subs coming on first.
Malen tees up Pellegrini on the right of the area, but with the angle against him, he strikes wide of the right-hand post.
Mbappe finds space on the right of the area, and his low delivery is tricky, but held well by Gollini.
There's barely been chance to pause for reflection in this second half. Madrid are really up against it, with an excellent Roma 3-1 up still. Can the visitors find a way back into it? Well, Mora just had another shot on target - which Courtois easily dealt with - so they'll need to do better if so.
Guler's free-kick is disappointing, as is a second cross when Madrid recycle the ball.
