Defending champions Real Madrid achieved a thrilling victory over Athletic Club with a dramatic goal in injury time, maintaining pressure in the La Liga title race, trailing Barcelona by four points. Federico Valverde’s remarkable strike in the 93rd minute secured a crucial 1-0 win for the team during a tense encounter at Santiago Bernabeu.
The match unfolded after a challenging week for Madrid, which had seen them eliminated from the Champions League by Arsenal. Despite the setback, Valverde’s last-gasp effort— a beautifully executed shot curling into the top corner— rekindled hope for the club and its supporters.
Athletic Club, based in Bilbao, had showcased their talents by reaching the semifinals of the Europa League just days prior by overcoming Rangers. However, their significant roster rotation did not detract from their defensive resilience against Real Madrid. The Basque side proved to be a formidable opponent, particularly in the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappe, who was both suspended and recovering from an ankle injury. Some fans had previously voiced their frustration toward Mbappe for his perceived lack of contribution during the Champions League quarterfinals, which added to the team’s challenges.
Throughout the match, Vinicius Jr. emerged as a standout player for Real Madrid, demonstrating his commitment on the left flank, much to the appreciation of the home crowd. Despite earlier criticisms from coach Carlo Ancelotti regarding his defensive contributions, Vinicius displayed a strong performance, consistently challenging Athletic’s defense.
Real Madrid exhibited an intensified approach following their recent European elimination, focused on keeping their La Liga title aspirations alive. Rodrygo Goes and Eduardo Camavinga created significant opportunities, with Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon making several key saves to keep the score level for most of the match.
As the game progressed, Real Madrid began pushing Athletic deeper into their half, generating several critical chances. Vinicius delivered a exquisite cross, which was met by Jude Bellingham, only for Simon to thwart the effort with a superb save. Despite near successes, it took Valverde’s stunning late goal to finally break the deadlock, ensuring victory for the home side.
This win not only boosts morale as they look forward to the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona but also reinforces Real Madrid’s determination to contend vigorously for both domestic and international honors.
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