Mbappe Masterclass Fires Real Madrid to 4–3 Victory in Seven-Goal Athens Thriller

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in Europe, squeezing past Olympiacos 4–3 in a pulsating Champions League clash in Athens that delivered drama from first whistle to last. For Xabi Alonso, this was a night of relief. For Madridistas, it was another reminder of why Kylian Mbappé was brought to the Bernabeu because when the Frenchman catches fire, he alters matches in ways few players on the planet can.

Madrid did not start like a side chasing a place in the top five of the league phase. Olympiacos pounced early, full of confidence and buoyed by their strong home record against Los Blancos. Their opener was carved with precision, Podence and El Kaabi combining sharply before Chiquinho lashed a stunning half-volley into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Inside eight minutes, the Greek side led and Madrid were rattled.

Yet what followed was seven minutes of football that felt almost supernatural. A blur of movement, timing and finishing—Kylian Mbappé taking centre stage and flipping the contest on its head.

First, Vinicius slipped a perfectly weighted ball into his path. Mbappé peeled away from his marker and drilled low under Tzolakis for 1–1. Two minutes later, Arda Guler floated in a delightful cross, and Mbappé rose unmarked to bury a header. Then came the third—Camavinga sliding a pass in behind, Mbappé darting clear, and finishing with icy composure. A hat-trick in seven minutes. Olympiacos stunned. Madrid suddenly cruising.

The visitors nearly made it four before the break, with Tchouameni rattling the crossbar, while Vinicius had a goal chalked off by VAR. Olympiacos, down but not dead, pushed for a way back, and nearly got one when El Kaabi forced a sharp save out of Lunin.

The restart brought the storm. Olympiacos introduced Hezze, who immediately made an impact with a wicked cross that Taremi met with a thunderous header to pull it back to 3–2. The home crowd roared to life. Madrid wobbled again.

But on nights like these, when chaos reigns, Mbappé remains the calmest man on the pitch. Vinicius skipped past Retsos, squared the ball across the box, and Mbappé tapped home his fourth of the evening restoring Madrid’s cushion and quieting anxieties.

The drama wasn’t done. Olympiacos surged forward once more, and El Kaabi, refusing to fade, found Strefezza before racing into the box to nod home the return cross and cut the margin to 4–3. The final minutes were frantic, with long balls, half-chances, and the Athens crowd urging their side toward history. But Madrid, bruised and breathing heavily, held firm.

With the victory, Los Blancos climb back into fifth place and shift focus to domestic duty, travelling to face Girona on Sunday. Their next European test is a massive showdown at home against Manchester City on December 10. Olympiacos, meanwhile, continue their Super League campaign against Panetolikos before heading to Kazakhstan to meet Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.

A breathless night, a memorable performance, and a reminder that even when Madrid bend, as long as Mbappé is on the pitch, they rarely break.