Real Madrid maintained its hopes in the La Liga title race after winning 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés on Sunday, thanks to a second-half goal from defender Nacho Fernandez. In a first half with few chances, Real Madrid appealed for a penalty when Álvaro Odriozola sent a cross that hit Jon Morcillo's arm, but referee Antonio Mateo Lahoz signaled for play to continue. Bilbao nearly opened the scoring before the break, but Alex Berenguer's free kick went wide of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The woodwork denied a header from Casemiro after the break, before the Brazilian sent a cross from the right that Nacho converted from close range for a precious winning goal for coach Zinedine Zidane's team. Bilbao's substitute Raúl García was sent off in the final moments as tensions increased during the match. Real Madrid, in second place, has accumulated 81 points, two points behind leaders Atlético Madrid, who won 2-1 against Osasuna thanks to a late goal from Luis Suárez.
Barcelona's slim hopes of claiming the La Liga title ended after a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday. Barcelona dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead with a goal from Lionel Messi in the 27th minute, as the Argentine headed in a precise pass from Sergio Busquets, reaching 30 league goals this season. Celta equalized against the run of play 11 minutes later when Santi Mina struck a powerful shot from the edge of the area after a swift counter-attack. Defender Ronald Araújo came close to scoring for Barcelona after the break, but the home side suffered a setback when Clément Lenglet was sent off six minutes before the end of regular time. Mina netted the second goal in the 89th minute, leaving Barcelona with a third-place finish at best in coach Ronald Koeman's first season. Barcelona holds 76 points, trailing Real Madrid by four points with one match to go.
