Real Madrid vs Athletico Bilbao 1-0: Federico Valverde's winner was his sixth La Liga goal of the season for Real Madrid
Real Madrid vs Athletico Bilbao
Federico Valverde’s stunning stoppage-time strike kept Real Madrid firmly in the La Liga title hunt, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side eventually overcame a stubborn Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu in a match that encapsulated the drama and resilience that have defined their campaign. The game had been a grueling test of patience for the hosts, who dominated possession and created a slew of chances but found themselves frustrated by Bilbao’s resolute defending and the heroics of goalkeeper Unai Simón. As the clock ticked into the third minute of stoppage time, with the score still locked at 0-0 and the Bernabeu faithful growing increasingly restless, Valverde produced a moment of sheer brilliance to break the deadlock. Receiving a half-cleared ball on the edge of the penalty area, the Uruguayan midfielder unleashed an emphatic half-volley with the outside of his left foot, sending the ball screaming into the top corner past a helpless Simón. The strike was a thunderbolt, a perfect blend of technique and instinct, and it sent the stadium into raptures, with players, fans, and coaching staff erupting in a collective release of tension. For Valverde, it was his sixth league goal of the season, but his first since a December strike against Sevilla, marking a timely return to form for a player who has become a linchpin in Ancelotti’s midfield. The goal was not just a match-winner but a lifeline for Real Madrid, who were desperate to keep pace in a fiercely contested title race. The victory ensured that Real Madrid remained four points behind league leaders Barcelona with only six games remaining, preserving their hopes of retaining the La Liga crown in a season that has been fraught with challenges both on and off the pitch.
The match against Athletic Bilbao had been a microcosm of Real Madrid’s season: moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of frustration, all underpinned by an unyielding determination to fight until the final whistle. The absence of star striker Kylian Mbappé, who was serving a one-match suspension following a red card in the previous week’s gritty 1-0 victory over Alavés, had forced Ancelotti to reshuffle his attacking lineup. Without Mbappé’s pace and flair, Real Madrid leaned heavily on the creativity of Vinícius Júnior and the industry of Rodrygo, while Jude Bellingham was tasked with providing the attacking thrust from midfield. The first half saw Real Madrid dominate possession but struggle to convert their control into clear-cut chances. Bilbao, under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, set up in a compact 4-4-2, with Iñaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta pressing high to disrupt Real’s rhythm. The visitors’ defensive discipline was exemplary, with center-backs Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes marshalling the backline with authority. Real’s best chance of the opening period came when Vinícius Júnior danced past two defenders on the left flank and delivered a teasing cross to Rodrygo, whose header was brilliantly tipped over by Simón. The Bernabeu crowd, while supportive, began to show signs of impatience as Bilbao’s stubborn resistance held firm. Ancelotti, pacing the touchline, urged his players to remain calm, knowing that a single moment of quality could unlock the game. As the half-time whistle blew, the score remained 0-0, but there was a sense that Real Madrid’s relentless pressure would eventually yield dividends if they could maintain their intensity.
The second half saw Real Madrid ramp up the tempo, with Ancelotti’s side laying siege to Bilbao’s goal. The introduction of Brahim Díaz for the industrious but ineffective Joselu added a spark to the attack, with the young Spaniard’s quick feet and direct running causing problems for Bilbao’s tiring defenders. Bellingham, operating in a more advanced role, began to find pockets of space, linking play and testing Simón with a curling effort from 20 yards that the goalkeeper parried away. Bilbao, while dangerous on the counterattack, were increasingly pinned back, with Williams’ pace offering their only real outlet. The Bernabeu faithful roared their team on, sensing that a breakthrough was imminent, but Simón’s heroics and a series of last-ditch blocks kept the scoreline intact. As the game entered its final stages, Ancelotti threw caution to the wind, bringing on Luka Modrić to add guile and precision to the midfield. The Croatian veteran, despite his advancing years, rolled back the clock with a series of incisive passes, one of which set Vinícius Júnior free down the left, only for his low shot to be deflected wide. The tension in the stadium was palpable, with every missed opportunity met with groans from the stands. Yet, just when it seemed that Bilbao might escape with a hard-fought point, Valverde delivered his moment of magic. The half-volley was a goal worthy of winning any game, and as the ball hit the net, the Bernabeu erupted in a cacophony of joy and relief. The final whistle followed shortly after, confirming a 1-0 victory that felt like a monumental step in Real Madrid’s title chase.
The victory was all the more significant given the broader context of Real Madrid’s season. Just days earlier, the club had endured a humbling week in the Champions League, where they were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition by Arsenal in a 5-1 aggregate defeat. The loss had sparked intense scrutiny of Ancelotti’s tactics and raised questions about the squad’s ability to compete on multiple fronts. Coming on the heels of that European disappointment, the win over Bilbao was a testament to the team’s resilience and their refusal to let setbacks define their season. The La Liga title race, meanwhile, had taken on a life of its own, with Barcelona setting a relentless pace at the top. The Catalans had produced their own slice of late drama the previous day, staging a remarkable comeback from 3-1 down to defeat Celta Vigo 4-3, courtesy of Raphinha’s 98th-minute penalty. That result had piled the pressure on Real Madrid, who knew that any slip-up could prove fatal in their pursuit of the title. Valverde’s goal, then, was not just a moment of individual brilliance but a statement of intent from a team determined to fight until the very end. The four-point gap to Barcelona, while daunting, was far from insurmountable, and with six games left to play, Real Madrid’s destiny remained in their own hands.
As the dust settled on the victory, attention turned to the challenges that lie ahead. Mbappé’s return from suspension will provide a significant boost, but Ancelotti will need to carefully manage his squad to avoid burnout in a congested fixture list. The performances of players like Valverde, Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior offer cause for optimism, but the reliance on moments of individual brilliance to break down stubborn defenses is a concern that must be addressed. Defensively, Real Madrid were solid against Bilbao, with Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger forming a formidable partnership, but the absence of Dani Carvajal due to a minor knock highlighted the squad’s lack of depth in certain areas. For the fans, the victory was a reminder of why they continue to believe in this team, even in the face of adversity. The Bernabeu, bathed in the glow of Valverde’s late heroics, was a cauldron of hope and defiance, a symbol of a club that refuses to give up. As the players left the pitch to a standing ovation, there was a shared sense of purpose: the La Liga title is still within reach, and Real Madrid will fight with everything they have to claim it.
