Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao was a highly anticipated clash in La Liga, and it didn’t disappoint. Real Madrid claimed a dramatic 1-0 win at Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday night thanks to an injury-time strike from Federico Valverde.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: A Tactical Battle Until the End
The match remained goalless for nearly the entire duration, with both Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao showing disciplined defensive displays. However, the breakthrough finally came in the dying minutes.
Federico Valverde scored the decisive goal in the 93rd minute with a brilliant half-volley inside the box. This was his sixth goal of the La Liga 2025 season and his first since December.
Earlier, Vinícius Júnior had scored in the 11th minute, but his effort was ruled out by VAR.
Mbappé Misses Out, Real Madrid Keep Pressure on Top
Real Madrid played without forward Kylian Mbappé, who was serving a one-match suspension after receiving a red card against Alavés. Despite his absence, Real Madrid maintained their composure and tactical structure.
This win helps Real Madrid close the gap at the top of the La Liga 2025 table. With 69 points from 32 matches, they are now just four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who sit on 73 points from the same number of games.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao proved to be a tightly contested match, but in the end, Real Madrid’s persistence and late heroics from Valverde made all the difference. This performance reinforces their title ambitions as the season heads toward a thrilling climax.
The result also highlights Real Madrid’s ability to grind out wins even without some of their top stars on the pitch.
