Valverde's winner keeps Madrid in La Liga race

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.