José Mourinho's return to the Stadio Olimpico turned into a Champions League instant classic Wednesday night, as Real Madrid erased a two-goal deficit in just over seven minutes to stun AS Roma 4-3.
It was Roma who looked set to deliver the statement win.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side overwhelmed Madrid early, with Marten de Roon opening the scoring in the 20th minute. Kylian Mbappé answered five minutes later with a landmark goal on his 100th Champions League appearance, but Roma retook control after the break when Donyell Malen struck twice in the 51st and 57th minutes to make it 3-1.
Mourinho's response changed everything.
The Real Madrid manager turned to his bench, throwing on 20-year-old Endrick for pace and power, with Carlos Espí and Arda Güler following. Roma's high press, which had suffocated Madrid for an hour, suddenly cracked under relentless set-piece pressure.
Then came the blitz.
Endrick rose highest from a corner in the 83rd minute, his header parried by Pierluigi Gollini straight into the path of Espí, who poked home from close range.
Two minutes later, same route. Güler delivered another corner, and this time Endrick made no mistake, nodding in unmarked at the near post to silence the Olimpico.
The turnaround was complete. A third consecutive corner from Güler found former Roma defender Antonio Rüdiger in the 90th, who volleyed home at the back post to seal a scarcely believable comeback.
Three corner goals in seven minutes. From 3-1 down to 4-3 up.
Endrick left with a goal, an assist, and Player of the Match, but it was a collective rescue act that keeps Mourinho's Madrid perfect in Europe and adds another legendary chapter to their love affair with this competition.
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