In a game full of drama and flair, Real Madrid clinched a narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to Federico Valverde’s superb late volley. With just three minutes into stoppage time, Valverde capitalized on a weak clearance to send a beautiful volley into the far top corner, leaving fans cheering in excitement ⚽️🔥.
This victory was especially sweet after their midweek exit from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Arsenal. Real Madrid bounced back to reach 69 points, narrowing the gap with La Liga leaders Barcelona, while Athletic Bilbao, fielding a heavily rotated team, held firm defensively until that electrifying finish.
Real’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Valverde’s technique, remarking on his unique shot as "sharp, fast, and powerful." Although Vinicius Jr.'s low effort in the 79th minute was disallowed by VAR for an offside in the buildup, the magic of the late goal overshadowed the missed opportunity.
Athletic Bilbao’s disciplined approach kept them in the game, but the breakthrough came too late. The loss consigns Bilbao to fourth place with 57 points, as Real’s persistence and timing proved to be the ultimate game-changers. This match perfectly captures the unpredictable thrill of football and reminds us that sometimes, the best moments come in the final minutes.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
