Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time winner stored Actual Madrid’s LaLiga title dream alive as they beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday to shut the hole to leaders Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect at the moment are 4 factors behind their Clasico rivals within the standings with six video games of their respective seasons remaining.
Recent from their Champions League exit to Arsenal in midweek, Madrid struggled to seek out their rhythm within the ultimate third, with Kylian Mbappe serving a one-match suspension.
Valverde registered Los Blancos’ solely shot on track within the first half, however they had been a lot improved after the break as they seemed to interrupt down Bilbao’s stern defence.
Visiting goalkeeper Unai Simon produced an exquisite save to disclaim Jude Bellingham’s header, tipping the ball over the bar following good work from Vinicius Junior.
Vinicius thought he had handed Madrid the lead with a low shot, however the 79th-minute effort was disallowed by the VAR for an offside towards Endrick within the build-up.
Bellingham once more got here shut however may solely prod over the crossbar within the ninetieth minute, however there was to be one ultimate twist on the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
After Bilbao did not clear their strains, Valverde despatched a shocking volley into the top-left nook within the third minute of second-half stoppage time, sealing the victory for Madrid.
@RealMadridEn 1-0 @Athletic_en
90′ + 3′ @FedeeValverde
@Emirates pic.twitter.com/F0ocKsIltl— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 20, 2025
Knowledge Debrief: The Late Late Present
Madrid confirmed indicators of a hangover from their disappointing Champions League exit in midweek, however a second of magic from Valverde received them out of bother.
Certainly, the Uruguayan midfielder’s sensational strike, timed at 92:08, was Madrid’s fourth-latest successful objective of the twenty first century at house. Solely Dani Carvajal (98:35 v Almeria in 2024), Bellingham (94:11 v Getafe in 2023) and Gonzalo Higuain (92:20) have scored later for Madrid in LaLiga on house soil.
And Madrid additionally proved they’ll do the enterprise with out Mbappe. That they had did not win the 2 video games with out their star striker of their line-up (D2) however received over the road this time round.