Real Madrid came perilously close to dropping more points in the race for the La Liga title — until a moment of pure magic from Federico Valverde changed everything.

In a dramatic finish at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Uruguayan midfielder unleashed a sensational strike deep into stoppage time, rescuing a crucial 1-1 draw against a determined Athletic Club side. With Barcelona continuing to lead the standings, the result keeps Los Blancos within four points of their eternal rivals — and very much alive in the title race.

It wasn’t the dominant performance many had hoped for from Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but with pressure mounting and time slipping away, Valverde delivered when it mattered most — keeping Real Madrid’s championship hopes firmly intact.

2024-25, Spain - La Liga

Real - Athletic Bilbao 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Valverde F., 90 (1:0)

Real: Courtois; Rudiger; Asencio R. (Vazquez L., 83); Camavinga; Modric (Güler A., 78); Tchouaméni; Dani Ceballos (Endrick, 58); Bellingham; Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior; Rodrygo (Diaz Br., 78)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Gonzalez Fran; Alaba; Vallejo; García Fr.
Yellow Cards: Asencio R. 75

Athletic Bilbao: Simón U.; Gorosabel; Paredes; Núñez U.; Boiro (Vivian, 87); Vesga; Etxebarria U. (Lekue I., 72); Prados; Alex Berenguer (Sancet, 62); Djalo Alvaro (Inaki Williams, 62); Guruzeta (Sannadi, 62)
Bench: Agirrezabala; Yeray; Yuri Berchiche; Ruiz I.; de Marcos; Alboniga; Urtasun
Yellow Cards: Núñez U. 63; Prados 86