Real Madrid clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over Athletic Club on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu, reigniting their hopes in the La Liga title race. Federico Valverde scored a stunning last-minute volley, securing all three points for the home side and bringing them within four points of league leaders Barcelona.
The match began with a palpable sense of urgency for Real Madrid, who were looking to bounce back after their recent elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal. With their title aspirations on the line, anything less than a win would have left them in a precarious position in the league standings.
As the match kicked off, Real Madrid displayed their intent early on, dominating possession and pressing Athletic Club high up the pitch. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Jude Bellingham combined effectively in the attacking third, but despite their efforts, the first half concluded without any goals.
Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Real Madrid holding 74% of possession but failing to convert that into meaningful opportunities. The first half saw Valverde's header from Luka Modric's corner go straight into the hands of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón, marking Madrid's first shot on target.
After the break, the pace of the game picked up, and Madrid continued to press forward. Vinicius Junior had a golden opportunity in the 79th minute, scoring what he thought was the opener, only for VAR to rule it out for offside due to a foul committed by Endrick in the buildup.
However, the drama didn't end there. Just when it seemed that the match would end in a stalemate, Valverde came to the rescue in the 92nd minute. After a scramble in the box, the Uruguayan midfielder unleashed a volley that soared into the top corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. "What a technique, what composure, what a player!" exclaimed the commentator as Valverde's strike sealed the win.
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed relief after the match, acknowledging the pressure his team was under. "We had to win, and we did it in style," he said. "This victory keeps us in the race for the title, and we will keep fighting until the end."
Athletic Club, on the other hand, suffered only their fifth league defeat of the season. Despite a solid performance, they were unable to capitalize on their few chances, with their best opportunity coming from a counterattack that was expertly saved by Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
With this victory, Real Madrid now sits in second place in the La Liga standings with 69 points, just four behind Barcelona. Athletic Club remains fourth, comfortably in the Champions League spots, but will be disappointed not to have taken any points from this match.
The match statistics highlighted Real Madrid's dominance, with 22 shots compared to Athletic's three, and seven of those on target against just one for the visitors. The home side also earned 14 corners, reflecting their persistent attacking efforts.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will travel to Getafe on Wednesday for their next league fixture, while Athletic Club will face Las Palmas in their upcoming match. Both teams have crucial games ahead, with Madrid also preparing for a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona next weekend.
As the title race heats up, every match becomes increasingly significant. Real Madrid's ability to secure this late win demonstrates their resilience and determination to challenge Barcelona for the La Liga crown.
In conclusion, Federico Valverde's late heroics not only secured a vital win for Real Madrid but also reignited their title hopes as they continue to chase Barcelona at the top of the table. The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed a thrilling finish, one that fans will remember for its drama and excitement.
