Federico Valverde produced a moment of sheer brilliance to hand Real Madrid a vital 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu, reigniting their hopes of defending the La Liga crown. The Uruguayan midfielder crashed a sensational half-volley into the top corner with the outside of his left foot three minutes into stoppage time, finally rewarding Real’s relentless second-half dominance.
It was a stunning goal, emblematic of Valverde’s fighting spirit and technical mastery. Despite enduring a long goal drought in the league since his December strike against Sevilla, he rose to the occasion when Real Madrid needed him most. The dramatic victory ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s men remained just four points adrift of leaders Barcelona, with six matches left in the campaign.
Real Madrid Frustrations Mount as Bilbao and VAR Stand Firm
For much of the second half, it seemed Real Madrid would pay the price for their wastefulness and misfortune. Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon, put in a heroic performance, denying Eduardo Camavinga’s thunderous effort and tipping away a close-range Jude Bellingham header as Real Madrid piled on the pressure.
Real Madrid thought they had found the breakthrough with 11 minutes remaining when Vinicius Jr curled in a brilliant effort. However, VAR intervened, ruling Endrick narrowly offside in the build-up after a lengthy review. Moments later, Jude Bellingham went down in the area under contact, but the officials decided against a review, further fueling the growing frustration inside the Bernabeu.
A Crucial Win After Champions League Heartbreak
The victory came at a critical juncture for Real Madrid, who were reeling after a humiliating 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals. That bruising exit raised questions about the team’s morale and resilience. However, against Bilbao, Real demonstrated grit and determination, qualities that had often defined their past glories.
Without star striker Kylian Mbappe, who was serving a one-match suspension following his red card against Alaves, Real Madrid showed they could find match-winners across the pitch. Valverde’s late heroics not only kept their La Liga ambitions intact but also provided a much-needed boost ahead of an even bigger clash looming on the horizon.
Ancelotti Under Pressure as Alonso Rumors Grow
Despite the win, questions surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s future at the Bernabeu persist. With former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso increasingly linked to the managerial hot seat, speculation is rife that Ancelotti could step down this summer, even though his contract runs until 2026. The Italian tactician himself admitted he would assess his position at the end of the season.
Victory over Bilbao, however, temporarily eases the mounting pressure. With a Copa del Rey final against Barcelona scheduled for Saturday, Ancelotti now has a golden opportunity to strengthen his case to remain in charge. But with Alonso’s star rising fast in Europe, the Real hierarchy faces a looming decision about who should lead the club into a new era.
Eyes on El Clasico and the Road Ahead
Real Madrid’s dramatic late win sets up a mouth-watering week, with their season potentially hinging on the upcoming Copa del Rey final against bitter rivals Barcelona. A trophy in Saturday’s final could provide a significant morale boost and a platform for a strong finish in La Liga.
However, Real Madrid will need to maintain their momentum, with every league match now critical. Barcelona, who produced their own stoppage-time magic against Celta Vigo with a 98th-minute Raphinha penalty, remain in the driver’s seat. Real Madrid, though, have shown time and again that they are never to be counted out — especially when they can summon magic like Valverde’s unforgettable strike.
