Mbappé Scores Four as Real Madrid Win Champions League Thriller in Athens
Kylian Mbappé delivered a sensational four-goal performance as Real Madrid edged Olympiacos in a gripping Champions League showdown.
The Greek side stunned the visitors early on when Francisco Chiquinho fired a powerful strike from 20 yards to put Olympiacos ahead. But the lead didn’t last long—because Mbappé took over.
The French superstar exploded into life, netting three goals in just seven minutes—the second-fastest hat-trick in Champions League history.
His first came after he latched onto a brilliant through ball from Vinícius Jr and finished with trademark composure. Moments later, he rose highest to head in Arda Güler’s pinpoint cross.
He completed the rapid treble by timing his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and slot home from Eduardo Camavinga’s pass.
Mbappé then set up Vinícius for what looked like Madrid’s fourth, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside in the build-up.
Aurelien Tchouaméni went close with a thunderous effort off the bar as Real—missing five defenders and their first-choice goalkeeper through injuries and illness—continued to dominate.
Olympiacos pulled one back through substitute Mehdi Taremi’s powerful header, but Mbappé restored Madrid’s cushion with a close-range finish after linking up again with Vinícius.
Ayoub El Kaabi struck late to give the home side hope, but Madrid held on to claim their first competitive win in Athens at the 10th attempt.
The victory ended Real Madrid’s three-game winless run across all competitions and lifted them to fifth in the standings, three points behind leaders Arsenal. Olympiacos sit 33rd with just two points.
Mbappé is now the Champions League’s leading scorer this season with nine goals in five matches. Across all competitions, he has scored 22 goals in 18 games for Madrid—remarkably ending what had been a three-match scoring “drought”.
In Athens, the 26-year-old was unplayable, using his blistering pace and timing to tear apart Olympiacos’ back line. His four goals came from only six attempts, and but for VAR, he would have added an assist as well.
Real’s patched-up defence often looked vulnerable, making Mbappé’s clinical finishing all the more vital.
His performance produced several notable milestones:
- He became only the third player to score a hat-trick within the first 29 minutes of a Champions League match.
- He recorded the second-fastest Champions League hat-trick ever, scored in just seven minutes.
- He now holds the record for the most away hat-tricks in European Cup/Champions League history (four).
- He became the first Real Madrid player to score four goals in a European away match.
A night to remember for Mbappé—and one that kept Real Madrid firmly in the race at the top of the standings.