Defending champions Real Madrid scored an injury-time victory in a 1-0 victory with the Athletic Club to keep pace with Barcelona.
Federico Valverde’s impressive 93-minute strike kept Real Madrid in the tail of Barcelona in the Spanish football title race, winning the Champions and 1-0 win at the Athletic Club.
Madrid was four points behind Barca after Valverde crashed into the top corner in a fierce effort that sliced Sunday.
After Arsenal’s elimination of the Champions League, until Uruguay International’s suspension time intervention, it seemed that Madrid was set up to achieve another devastating outcome.
Based in Bilbao, the Athletic, who defeated Rangers on Thursday to reach the Europa League semi-finals, had a massive spin.
Nevertheless, the Basque side has proven that Madrid is cracked. Especially with top scorer Killian Mbappe, who has been recovering after a break from an ankle problem.
The forward was blew hist by some fans as the team was unable to help the team overcome Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals when they were shown to be watching the game on the stadium screen.
Vinicius, who was criticized by coach Carlo Ancelotti for his lack of a defensive work ethic, ran hard on his left.
The Brazilian has struggled with his form at times this season, but he is Madrid’s brightest player against athletics and has given Unai Nunez a difficult night.
Madrid played at intensity after European exclusion, trying to lock La Liga in sight after Barcelona made a late comeback to defeat Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Rodrigo came nearby early in the second half, and athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon was saved from Eduardo Camabinga.
The hosts began pushing the movement deeper and creating better opportunities.
Vinicius put the outside of his boots in a six-yard box and bent a delicious cross for Jude Bellingham to meet, but Simon made a great save to tilt his header.
Federico Valverde fired slightly wider on a nearby post, and Vinicius found the net, but Endrick was offside on the buildup.
Bellingham sought a penalty after gently dropping in the area, then fired from close range in the final stages.
The chances that England International had inspired Madrid to Laliga and the Champions League glory have somehow changed.
Instead, it was Valverde who took on the role in the noble explosion that gave Simon no chance.
The victory offers hope for Madrid to save the season and brings morale boost to Barcelona next weekend with the Copa del Rey Finals.
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