The second hat-trick fastest in Champions League history revived Real Madrid in the Greek inferno of Athens. It was done by Kylian Mbappé, of course, in six minutes and 42 seconds, 30 seconds slower than Mo Salah (6:13 in 2022 against Rangers). The goals from the French forward unraveled the arms of Xabi Alonso, motionless after the initial goal by Chiquinho for Olympiacos. "I'll take the three points and what happened inside the locker room, with the unity and commitment of the players," admitted the coach from Tolosa.
For 14 minutes, between the eighth and the 22nd, the white team was losing in Greece, extending their crisis of results and feelings and putting this project on the brink. That's when the players stepped up. Arda Güler, Fede Valverde, and Vinicius tried to encourage their teammates, applauding, calling for calm, and asking for more teamwork.
In a matter of minutes, the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium witnessed the Madridista reaction, worthy of a team that, despite the recent criticisms and doubts, did not falter. Vinicius, in one of his best performances, Güler, and Camavinga assisted Mbappé, and Alonso's project held firm.
"I see the team in good shape, but of course, there are things to improve. When you play for a club like Madrid, it's normal for people to talk. As players, we have to support the coach. We must stick together," reflected Mbappé on the field. A few meters away, Camavinga also defended his coach: "We are more united than ever. We will do everything to win and to help the coach. The rest is just media stuff."
The Madrid expedition stayed at the Marriot in Athens, without Florentino Pérez but with José Ángel Sánchez, the general director, in charge. The trip was too long for the president, who no longer takes long-haul flights during the group stage, but the call accepted by Xabi Alonso before the game revealed a show of support for the coach.
Still at the hotel, Jude Bellingham's calf discomfort left the attack with less congestion than usual. Alonso opted for Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde, and Vinicius, all substitutes against Elche, and although the start was somewhat dramatic, the most scrutinized players stepped up, something the club had been asking for during the week. "It's their moment," was the repeated phrase from the Marriot.
And so it was. Xabi welcomed back Ferland Mendy, who played his first match since April 26, when he got injured in the first 10 minutes of the Copa del Rey final against Barça.
The second half saw a scare with the 2-3, but the match was sealed with Mbappé's fourth goal, his first poker in the Champions League and the sixth in Real Madrid's history. The Frenchman is now in the shadow of other legends of the club, like Alfredo Di Stéfano or Ferenc Puskas, who achieved it twice, or like Cristiano, who did it once. "For opponents, defending against Vini is a nightmare," he praised about his teammate, who made the difference.
The Brazilian assisted the Frenchman in the fourth goal of the night and was congratulated by Alonso during the goal celebration, upon his substitution, and at the end of the match. Three peaceful embraces after the controversies of recent weeks and his benching, the fourth of the season, in Alicante.