Madrid Edges Olympiacos in Thrilling Champions League Encounter

Real Madrid triumphed 4-3 against Olympiacos in one of the most thrilling group-stage matches of the Champions League season. Kylian Mbappe was the standout performer, netting all four goals for Los Blancos, who twice surrendered two-goal leads before holding on in the closing moments of the match in Piraeus.

The contest began with Olympiacos taking an early lead through Chiquinho, who scored following a well-executed combination with Daniel Podence and Ayoub El Kaabi. Madrid initially struggled to assert control; however, Mbappe quickly changed the momentum in a stunning seven-minute hat-trick, scoring in the 22nd, 24th, and 29th minutes. His first goal was ignited by a brilliant long ball from Vinícius, followed by a precise header from Arda Guler’s cross, and concluded with a composed finish from Eduardo Camavinga’s assist.

Refusing to back down, Olympiacos mounted a second-half resurgence, with Mehdi Taremi and El Kaabi scoring to narrow the gap and set the stage for a frantic finish. Ultimately, Madrid held firm, earning their first victory in four matches. Mbappe’s achievement made him the first Real Madrid player to score four goals in a major European away match, while also extending his record for the most away hat-tricks in Champions League history.

After the match, Olympiacos manager Mendilibar characterized the experience as “crazy,” highlighting the emotional fluctuations throughout the game. In his post-match remarks to Movistar Plus, he acknowledged that the match could have swung in either direction, stating, “Crazy, it’s true, so many things happened, too many. We started very well, they turned the game around in two minutes, they were close to making it 1-4 which would have killed us. They gave us a lifeline and we finished the match pinning Madrid back and creating chances to equalize.”

Mendilibar praised his players for their resilience, despite being repeatedly challenged by Madrid’s elite attackers. He noted the observable quality difference at key moments, remarking, “It seemed like we were dead and they scored goals on us very quickly with very little effort. That’s when you realize you’re up against the best players in the world, and that there are differences with your own team.”

Even when Madrid threatened to extend their lead, Mendilibar remained optimistic about his team’s potential to stage a comeback. Reflecting on his team’s performance, he said, “Anything could have happened. The result is what matters; we did what we could, and we never gave up. That’s the most important thing for us.”

Mendilibar also provided a tactical analysis of Mbappe and Vinicius, emphasizing their impact on the game. He explained, “There are two sides to it. The two up front have caused us a lot of problems, but also because they rest a lot when we have the ball and only eight of us try to defend and run. When they win the ball back, they’re fresh to make runs behind the defense, and then they convert almost every chance they get.”

This victory places Real Madrid in a strong position within the Champions League standings, currently sitting fifth and three points behind leaders Arsenal. With 22 goals scored this season and nine in Europe, Mbappe continues to be a pivotal figure in Madrid’s campaign. Xabi Alonso’s squad will aim to maintain their momentum as they pursue qualification in upcoming matches against lower-ranked opponents.

For Olympiacos, the performance, despite the defeat, provides a silver lining. Mendilibar’s team showcased their capability to fight against one of Europe’s most formidable squads, creating ample opportunities to secure a more favorable outcome.