Real Madrid's Federico Valverde netted a superb late volley to secure a 1-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (Apr 20) that keeps them within four points of LaLiga leaders FC Barcelona. A heavily rotated Athletic side had kept the hosts at bay until Valverde scored the winner three minutes into stoppage time, pouncing on a poor clearance to fire a volley into the far top corner.
Federico Valverde's stunning stoppage-time strike kept Real Madrid in the LaLiga title hunt as Carlo Ancelotti's side eventually overcame stubborn Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu on Sunday (Apr 20).
Valverde crashed an emphatic half-volley into the top corner with the outside of his left foot three minutes into time added on to finally reward incessant second-half pressure from the hosts.
It was his sixth league goal this season, but first since December against Sevilla.
Victory kept Madrid, who were without Kylian Mbappe as he served a one-match ban following a red card in the 1-0 win at Alaves, four points behind leaders FC Barcelona with six games to go.
Barcelona had produced their own added-time drama on Saturday, coming from 3-1 down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 thanks to Raphinha's 98th-minute penalty.
However, after a humbling week that saw the UEFA Champions League holders dumped out of this year's competition with a 5-1 aggregate defeat by Arsenal, Madrid kept alive their hopes of retaining their league title.
It appeared they would be frustrated by Bilbao and goalkeeper Unai Simon, who thwarted Eduardo Camavinga's rising drive and a Jude Bellingham header in a one-sided second half.
Madrid thought they had made the breakthrough with 11 minutes remaining but Vinicius Jr's classy curler was ruled out for a marginal offside against Endrick in the build-up.
It took a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) delay to disallow the strike and, when the officials later deemed a clip on Bellingham in the area was not worth a review, it seemed another frustrating night was on the cards for the defending champions.
But full-back Valverde, who had twice earlier gone within inches of breaking the deadlock, popped up late with his sublime strike to ease the pressure on Ancelotti, whose side next face Barca in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
With ex-Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso increasingly linked with the manager's job, Ancelotti admitted this week he would discuss his future at the Bernabeu in the summer despite having a deal until 2026. He is though expected to leave the club.
