{
  "id": 18188502,
  "title": "Valverde’s blast snatches late win for Real Madrid at AEK Athens",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/valverdes-blast-snatches-late-win-for-real-madrid-at-aek-athens",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T21:11:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/11/05/valverde-s-blast-snatches-late-win-for-real-madrid-at-aek-athens"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a thrilling Champions League match at Agia Sophia Stadium, Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over AEK Athens, thanks to a late goal from Federico Valverde. Jose Mourinho's side started the game strongly, with Aboubakary Koita putting AEK ahead in the 12th minute. Jude Bellingham equalised for Real Madrid with a sublime flick, but Stavros Pilios restored the lead for AEK with 15 minutes remaining. Kylian Mbappe levelled the score for Real Madrid in the 86th minute, setting the stage for Valverde's game-winning effort. Mourinho had previously started Vinicius Junior on the left flank after he missed the previous two matches due to suspension. The hosts dominated the game and took the lead in the first half, but Real Madrid fought back valiantly. In the second half, Koita scored again for AEK, and Mbappe netted twice more, bringing his season tally to four goals in four Champions League matches. Valverde's late winner secured Real Madrid's perfect record in the league phase, placing them on equal points with holders Paris Saint-Germain. AEK Athens' Koita was sent off after the game for dissent.",
  "summary": "Jose Mourinho's side twice came from behind against the Greek champions before Federico Valverde's stunning effort from distance sealed a 3-2 victory.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Real Madrid proposes Rafael Nadal as a new member of its Board of Directors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/el-real-madrid-propone-la-entrada-de-rafael-nadal-como-nuevo-miembro",
        "published": "2026-11-04T12:00:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Nadal lined up to join Perez on Real Madrid board",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/nadal-lined-up-to-join-perez-on-real-madrid-board",
        "published": "2026-11-04T12:30:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Rafael Nadal set to join Real Madrid’s board of directors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/rafael-nadal-set-to-join-real-madrids-board-of-directors",
        "published": "2026-11-04T12:55:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Longtime fan Rafael Nadal offered role on Real Madrid’s board of directors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/longtime-fan-rafael-nadal-offered-role-on-real-madrids-board-of",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:17:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Rafael Nadal accepts offer to join Real Madrid's board of directors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/rafael-nadal-accepts-offer-to-join-real-madrids-board-of-directors",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:56:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Nadal lined up to join Perez on Real Madrid board",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/nadal-lined-up-to-join-perez-on-real-madrid-board-18142087",
        "published": "2026-11-04T15:33:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "UCL: Valverde late strike seals Real Madrid 3-2 win at AEK",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ucl-valverde-late-strike-seals-real-madrid-3-2-win-at-aek",
        "published": "2026-11-04T20:04:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}