Mourinho’s Roma Stun Real Madrid in Seven-Goal Thriller: Champions League Line-ups Roma vs Real Madrid

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | In a pulsating Champions League encounter at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma and Real Madrid played out a remarkable 4-3 victory for the visitors, with the Champions League line-ups Roma vs Real Madrid providing plenty of attacking firepower. The match marked Jose Mourinho‘s first return to Rome as an opponent since his dismissal in January 2024, and the Special One witnessed a classic.

Roma, without injured goalkeeper Mile Svilar and midfielder Bryan Cristante, handed a start to Pierluigi Gollini, while Donyell Malen led the line alongside Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule. Real Madrid, missing several key defenders, fielded former Roma players Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger in a makeshift backline. The Champions League line-ups Roma vs Real Madrid promised goals, and it delivered seven.

The hosts took a shock lead on 20 minutes when Marten de Roon finished off a slick move assisted by Soule. However, Real Madrid responded five minutes later through Kylian Mbappe, who latched onto Yan Diomande’s pass to score on his 100th Champions League appearance. Mbappe’s goal was his 72nd in the competition, further cementing his legacy.

After the break, Malen struck twice in six minutes to put Roma 3-1 up, first assisted by Rodrigo Mora and then by Soule again. But Real Madrid, showing the resilience of champions, fought back. Carlos Espi pulled one back on 83 minutes, before Endrick equalised in the 85th, assisted by Arda Guler. Then, in the 90th minute, Antonio Rudiger rose to head home Guler’s corner, breaking Roma hearts. Alvaro Carreras added a fourth in stoppage time to seal a dramatic win.

The Champions League line-ups Roma vs Real Madrid also saw Vinicius Junior start despite news of a four-match LaLiga ban for a hair-pulling incident. He was largely kept quiet by the Roma defence. Real Madrid’s win extends their dominance over Roma, having now won their last five meetings, scoring 13 goals and conceding three since 2008.

Roma will feel aggrieved after leading 3-1, but defensive lapses cost them dearly. Mourinho’s side showed attacking flair but lacked the killer instinct to see out the game. The result leaves Roma with much to do in the group, while Real Madrid march on.

Match Statistics

Key Moments

• 20′ – Marten de Roon opens the scoring for Roma.
• 25′ – Kylian Mbappe equalises for Real Madrid.
• 51′ – Donyell Malen restores Roma’s lead.
• 57′ – Malen scores his second.
• 83′ – Carlos Espi pulls one back.
• 85′ – Endrick levels the score.
• 90′ – Antonio Rudiger heads home the winner.
• 90+6′ – Alvaro Carreras seals the win.

Line-ups

Roma: Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Soule; Malen.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Rudiger, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouameni; Vinicius, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappe.

In conclusion, this Champions League line-ups Roma vs Real Madrid clash will be remembered for its dramatic twists and turns. Real Madrid’s never-say-die attitude secured a vital three points, while Roma are left to rue what might have been. The group stage is far from over, but this result could prove pivotal in the race for knockout qualification.