Real Madrid go into the last game of the season still with a chance of winning La Liga thanks to a Nacho goal on 68 minutes. 

The result means they will go into the final matches next weekend needing a big favour from former club legend Ronaldo Nazario.

The Valladolid club Ronaldo owns and is president of are fighting for their lives down at the bottom of the table and they play home to Atletico Madrid on the last day.

Nacho scored his first goal of the season as Real Madrid won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao

Nacho scored his first goal of the season as Real Madrid won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao

Nacho scored his first goal of the season as Real Madrid won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao

The defender is congratulated by his Real team-mates after his goal in the 68th minute

The defender is congratulated by his Real team-mates after his goal in the 68th minute

The defender is congratulated by his Real team-mates after his goal in the 68th minute

The result means Zinedine Zidane's side remain two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid

The result means Zinedine Zidane's side remain two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid

The result means Zinedine Zidane’s side remain two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid

If Valladolid can prevent Atletico Madrid from winning and Real Madrid beat Villarreal then Zinedine Zidane’s team will be champions.

‘I wasn’t paying attention to the Atletico game,’ said Zidane. ‘We learned about their score right at the end.

‘We always knew this league would be played right to the last minute of the last game.’

Madrid scrapped their way to three points at San Mames when Casemiro, Karim Benzema was in an offside position in the six-yard box but it was Nacho who turned the ball over the line for his first goal of the season and after a VAR enquiry it was decided that Benzema had not been interfering with play.

Nacho managed to turn the ball over the line and the goal was given following a VAR check

Nacho managed to turn the ball over the line and the goal was given following a VAR check

Nacho managed to turn the ball over the line and the goal was given following a VAR check

Nacho celebrates with his goal with his team-mates as Real secured victory versus Bilbao

Nacho celebrates with his goal with his team-mates as Real secured victory versus Bilbao

Nacho celebrates with his goal with his team-mates as Real secured victory versus Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao ended the game with ten men as substitute Raul Garcia received a red card

Athletic Bilbao ended the game with ten men as substitute Raul Garcia received a red card

Athletic Bilbao ended the game with ten men as substitute Raul Garcia received a red card

If that decision went for Madrid they were hard-done by in the first half when Jon Morcillo stuck out an elbow to block Alvaro Odriozola’s cross only for Mateu Lahoz – the man in the middle for the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea – to decide that there was no penalty.

FACT BOX TITLE

Athletic Bilbao: Simon; De Marcos, Alvarez, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, Garcia (Vesga 65), Vencedor (Gomez 73), Morcillo (Garcia 65); Williams (Villalibre 65), Sancet (Lopez 72)

Subs: Nunez, Ezkieta, Vicente 

Booked: Martinez, Berenguer 

Sent off: Garcia 

Real Madrid: Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Nacho, Ortega; Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo (Hazard 77), Benzema, Vinicius Junior (Asensio 59)

Subs: Lunin, Marcelo, Isco, Mariano, Altube, Blanco 

Goal: Nacho 68 

Booked: Nacho 

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Madrid had the best chances in the second half. Luka Modric had a shot from distance saved by Unai Simon and Casemiro thundered a header on to the cross bar from a Modric corner.

Athletic Club were flat and tired doing little to hide the fact that they have nothing to play for and are already looking ahead to next season. Substitute Asier Valvderde had their best chance but when he stuck a foot out to get on the end of Ibai Gomez’ cross but he got under the ball and it sailed over.

Once Madrid had their goal they kept possession well with Eden Hazard coming on as a late substitute. ‘We can only keep going and try to get the win next week,’ said goal scorer Nacho.

‘I’ve lost track of where we are with handball incidents. I saw the first half incident at half time and it looked a penalty to me but it was not given.’

Lahoz also sent off Athletic substitute Raul Garcia late on denting the home side’s slim hopes of a comeback.

Madrid had done their job and all that ruined their afternoon was the late news coming through that Luis Suarez had got the late late winner against Osasuna to knock Zidane’s team back off the top and take things into the last round of matches with the advantage still Diego Simeone’s.

‘We have a tough last game,’ said Zidane. ‘We have to forget about the other [Atletico’s] match. And just concentrate on winning ours.’

On his own future he denied having already told the players he is leaving this summer. ‘As if I would say that now when the season is still in play,’ he said. ‘Things will be decided when the season is over.’

Alvaro Odriozola (L) celebrates with team-mate Eder Militao after Real's victory was secured

Alvaro Odriozola (L) celebrates with team-mate Eder Militao after Real's victory was secured

Alvaro Odriozola (L) celebrates with team-mate Eder Militao after Real’s victory was secured

Karim Benzema controls the ball for Real Madrid while under pressure from Unai Vencedor

Karim Benzema controls the ball for Real Madrid while under pressure from Unai Vencedor

Karim Benzema controls the ball for Real Madrid while under pressure from Unai Vencedor

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

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