MADRID — Federico Valverde's superb 93rd minute strike kept Real Madrid on Barcelona's tail in the Spanish title race, earning the champion a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Madrid stayed four points behind Barca after Valverde smashed into the top corner with a sliced, swerving effort.

After Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal it looked like Madrid was set for another devastating result until the Uruguay international's stoppage-time intervention.

"Fede has such a good shot. In training yesterday he shot a ball that looked like it was going out and then it picked up a curl like that, and you go 'how do you shoot like that?'" Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said.

"In training, he does that once or twice a week."

Athletic Bilbao, which reached the Europa League semifinals on Thursday by beating Rangers, rotated heavily.

Despite that, the Basque side proved a hard nut for Madrid to crack, especially with Real's top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe both suspended and recovering from an ankle problem.

The forward was whistled by some fans for his failure to help the team overcome Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals in midweek, when he was shown watching the game on the stadium screens.

"Valverde was key in this game, because he scored the goal," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

"The team was good, a bit slower in the first half, but very good in the second.

"We wanted to win, we wanted to react after the elimination against Arsenal — the team came through, and Fede was the key player."

Vinicius Jr, who was previously criticized by Ancelotti for his lack of a defensive work ethic, was running hard on the left, which fans at the Santiago Bernabeu appreciated.

The Brazilian has struggled for form at times this season, but was Madrid's brightest player against Athletic, giving its centerback Unai Nunez a difficult night.

Madrid played with intensity after its European elimination, trying to keep La Liga in its sights, after Barcelona made a late comeback to beat Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Rodrygo came close early in the second half, before Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon saved an Eduardo Camavinga effort.

The host began to push Athletic deeper, and started to create better chances.

Vinicius bent a delicious cross with the outside of his boot into the six-yard box for Jude Bellingham to meet, but Simon made an excellent save to tip his header over the bar.

Valverde fired narrowly wide of the near post, and Vinicius did find the net, but fellow Brazilian Endrick was offside in the build-up.

Bellingham appealed for a penalty after going down softly in the area, and then fired over from close range in the final stages.

It was the kind of chance the England international managed to turn into late match-winning goals last season, as he inspired Madrid to La Liga and Champions League glory.

Instead it was Valverde who took up the role, with his sublime blast which left Simon with no chance.

"Valverde has an extraordinary shot," said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.

"We had a really good game (but) they are individually very good, Vinicius was very good."

Madrid's victory offers it hope of salvaging its season, and provides a morale boost ahead of Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

AFP