After more than an hour of pressure and a 3-1 hole, Real Madrid turned the tables at AS Rome, clinching a 4-3 win thanks to three late corners on Wednesday.
What looked like a mirage became reality when Madrid, down 3-1 with eight minutes left, erupted. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring, then Mourinho pulled Vinicius and Denzel Dumfries, bringing on Endrick and Arda Güler at the 59th minute. Carlos Espi’s entrance at 78 sparked the improbable surge.
“The changes saved a disastrous game plan”
Arda Güler delivered three corner‑kick goals: Carlos Espi narrowed the gap (2-3, 83′), Endrick equalised (3-3, 85′), and Antonio Rüdiger sealed victory (3-4, 90′). The Spanish daily As crowned the feat “Immortal Real is back”. El Chiringuito dubbed the turnaround “Remountada”.
Marca headlined “It’s not a miracle, it’s pride”, noting Güler revived Real Madrid the Mourinho way. Catalan papers praised the comeback, while Sport called it a Mourinho “miracle” uncovered.
In my view, Mourinho’s gamble rescued a floundering side but exposed deeper flaws. The late surge was thrilling, yet the underlying midfield woes remain a concern.
“Madrid’s win relied more on fighting spirit than on sheer quality”
Cadena Ser highlighted Mourinho’s “Plan B” that averted disaster, noting the squad’s midfield inefficiency and shaky defence until a sensational finish secured their first Champions League comeback.
The substitutes’ hunger was evident; the Endrick‑Espí duo, stepping out of Mbappé’s shadow, crafted the goals that leveled the tie at 3‑2 and then 3‑3. Victory hinged on grit more than pure skill, delivering three points back to the Bernabéu.