Real Madrid 1–0 Athletic Club: Valverde's Late Goal Keeps Title Hopes Alive

Real Madrid 1–0 Athletic Club: Valverde's Late Goal Keeps Title Hopes Alive

In a crucial La Liga match on April 20, 2025, Real Madrid secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match was marked by a late goal from Federico Valverde, which propelled Madrid to 69 points, keeping them four points behind leaders Barcelona with six games remaining .

Match Summary:

• First Half: The game began with both teams displaying cautious approaches. Real Madrid struggled to break down Athletic's defense, while the visitors rarely threatened.​

• Second Half: Madrid intensified their efforts, creating several chances. Vinicius Jr. had a goal disallowed due to Endrick's offside position, and Jude Bellingham was denied a penalty after a challenge in the box

• Final Moments: In the dying minutes, Valverde capitalized on a rebound to score the decisive goal, much to the relief of the home crowd.
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Post-Match Reactions:

• Carlo Ancelotti: The Real Madrid coach praised his team's resilience, emphasizing the importance of the win for morale following their recent Champions League exit. He highlighted the strong second-half performance and the leadership shown by Vinicius Jr

• Federico Valverde: The Uruguayan midfielder expressed his joy over scoring the match-winning goal, dedicating it to the fans and his teammates

Looking Ahead:

With this victory, Real Madrid remains in the hunt for the La Liga title. Their next challenge comes in El Clásico against Barcelona, a match that could prove pivotal in the race for the championship.​

For a visual recap of the match, you can watch the highlights below:

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