Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club: Valverde's stunning volley averts a draw at home

Federico Valverde's stoppage-time winner kept Real Madrid's LaLiga title dream alive as they beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday to close the gap to leaders Barcelona.

Match Report

Carlo Ancelotti's side are now four points behind their Clasico rivals in the standings with six games of their respective seasons remaining. 

Fresh from their Champions League exit to Arsenal in midweek, Madrid struggled to find their rhythm in the final third, with Kylian Mbappe serving a one-match suspension. 

Valverde registered Los Blancos' only shot on target in the first half, but they were much improved after the break as they looked to break down Bilbao's stern defence. 

Visiting goalkeeper Unai Simon produced a wonderful save to deny Jude Bellingham's header, tipping the ball over the bar following good work from Vinicius Junior. 

Vinicius thought he had handed Madrid the lead with a low shot, but the 79th-minute effort was disallowed by the VAR for an offside against Endrick in the build-up. 

Bellingham again came close but could only prod over the crossbar in the 90th minute, but there was to be one final twist at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. 

After Bilbao failed to clear their lines, Valverde sent a stunning volley into the top-left corner in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, sealing the victory for Madrid. 

Data Debrief: The Late Late Show

Madrid showed signs of a hangover from their disappointing Champions League exit in midweek, but a moment of magic from Valverde got them out of trouble. 

Indeed, the Uruguayan midfielder's sensational strike, timed at 92:08, was Madrid's fourth-latest winning goal of the 21st century at home. Only Dani Carvajal (98:35 v Almeria in 2024), Bellingham (94:11 v Getafe in 2023) and Gonzalo Higuain (92:20) have scored later for Madrid in LaLiga on home soil. 

And Madrid also proved they can do the business without Mbappe. They had failed to win the two games without their star striker in their line-up (D2) but got over the line this time around. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

19' Mbappe watching on from the stands due to the red card he picked up last week!

28' Vinicius ignites Madrid, weaving past three defenders before shooting on goal!

35' Guruzeta attempts a volley, but it goes out for a goal-kick!

36' Valverde's flicked header is straight down the throat of Simon!

47' Rodrygo picks up the loose ball and attempts to curve one into the far corner!

49' Vinicius sets up Camavinga, whose shot is saved by Simon!

54' Madrid tries two distant shots, Ceballos blocked, Valverde misses wide!

58' Endrick on for Ceballos and Bellingham dropping into the midfield!

59' Gomez raced down the left and shot, but Courtois intervened!

61' Vinicius's curling cross finds Bellingham, but Simon saves his header!

62' Bellingham receives another chance from corner but heads it wide of the goal!

67' Valverde cuts in from right flank and takes on shot with his weaker left foot!

75' Vinicius's run causes chaos, Bellingham shoots first-time, Paredes blocks!

80' Vinicius scores after Endrick challenge on Valverde cross, and Endrick offside!

89' Bellingham takes a touch with his chest and tries to then prod it home!

93' GOAL! Valverde shoots volley into top-left corner! Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club

Line-ups

Real Madrid XI: Modric, Courtois, Rudiger, Ceballos, Valverde, Tchouameni, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Bellingham, Raúl Asencio

Subs: Alaba, Vazquez, Vallejo, Brahim, Lunin, Fran García, Güler, Endrick, Fran González

Athletic Club XI: Gorosabel, Vesga, Berenguer, Unai Simón, Núñez, Gorka Guruzeta, Aitor Paredes, Beñat Prados, Álvaro Djaló, Unai Gómez, Adama Boiro

Subs: De Marcos, Berchiche, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Y.Álvarez, Lekue, I.Williams, Dani Vivian, Oihan Sancet, Julen Agirrezabala, Maroan Sannadi, Mikel Jauregizar, Peio Canales