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.

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.

@RealMadridEn 1-0 @Athletic_en
90′ + 3′ @FedeeValverde
@Emirates pic.twitter.com/F0ocKsIltl

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 20, 2025

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.