Real Madrid's Federico Valverde produced a stunning moment of magic, scoring a sensational stoppage-time winner to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 20, 2025. This crucial win keeps Real Madrid's LaLiga title defense alive, as they remain within striking distance of league leaders FC Barcelona.
The match kicked off at 12:30 AM IST, and the anticipation was palpable as the two teams took to the field. Real Madrid, who had recently suffered a disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal, needed a morale-boosting win to maintain their title challenge. Before the match, they sat in second place with 66 points from 31 matches, trailing Barcelona by six points. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, entered the game fourth in the standings with 57 points, having recently reached the Europa League semi-finals.
As the match began, it quickly became evident that both teams were determined to assert their dominance. Real Madrid controlled possession early on, but they struggled to break down a resolute Athletic defense. Vinicius Junior, one of Madrid's key attackers, appeared frustrated as he attempted to create chances, but the visitors held firm.
Despite dominating the ball, Real Madrid failed to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half. Athletic Bilbao's disciplined defensive shape frustrated the home side, who entered the halftime break with the score still at 0-0. Interestingly, Athletic had completed just 67% of their passes in the first half, indicating the pressure they were under.
As the second half unfolded, Real Madrid began to find their rhythm. Jude Bellingham had a close-range header saved brilliantly by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon shortly after the hour mark, signaling that the hosts were growing into the game. However, Athletic remained resilient, absorbing the pressure and looking to hit on the counter.
In the 79th minute, Vinicius Junior seemed to have finally broken the deadlock with a low shot that found the back of the net, but the joy was short-lived. The goal was disallowed by VAR due to an offside in the build-up involving Endrick, leaving the Bernabeu crowd in disbelief.
As the match entered its final minutes, Real Madrid continued to push for the elusive goal, with the atmosphere in the stadium growing increasingly tense. The fourth official indicated a minimum of seven minutes of added time, providing the home side with a glimmer of hope.
Then, in a dramatic twist, Federico Valverde delivered the moment that would seal the victory for Real Madrid. In the 93rd minute, a chaotic sequence in the box saw the ball land at Valverde's feet on the right edge. With a deft touch and an outside-of-the-boot shot, he sent the ball flying into the top corner of the net, leaving Simon with no chance. The stadium erupted as the players celebrated wildly, knowing the significance of the goal.
“You can never count Real Madrid out!” exclaimed the commentator as the crowd cheered. Valverde's late strike not only secured the three points but also reignited Madrid's hopes of catching Barcelona in the title race.
After the match, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Valverde's unique shooting ability, saying, “Fede has a very unusual shot, a very good one. In training, he easily does one or two like that a week. We've been telling him for years: 'shoot, shoot.'”
Athletic Bilbao's Alex Berenguer reflected on the match, acknowledging the challenge of facing a team like Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. “We played well, we defended until the end, but we know what Real Madrid are like at the Bernabeu. The team responded well, but they are a great team, and it's difficult,” he stated.
With this victory, Real Madrid now sits at 69 points, maintaining a four-point gap behind Barcelona, who had a late comeback against Celta Vigo the previous day. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao remains fourth in the standings with 57 points, six points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, who suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Las Palmas.
The win was vital for Real Madrid, who are now looking to build momentum as the season approaches its climax. As they continue to chase Barcelona for the title, every point will be crucial in the coming weeks. The next challenge for the team will be to carry this late-game energy into their upcoming fixtures.
In conclusion, Federico Valverde's late stunner not only secured a much-needed win for Real Madrid but also served as a reminder of the team's fighting spirit and determination. As the title race heats up, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the remaining matches unfold.
