Valverde winner over Bilbao keeps Madrid in La Liga title race

Real Madrid grabbed three crucial points against Athletic Club to keep their La Liga title hopes on track thanks to a late stunner from Federico Valverde.

The hosts approached the game after back-to-back defeats at the Bernabeu to Arsenal and Valencia and needed to redeem themselves in front of their fans and also keep their La Liga title hopes alive.

Barca were already seven points clear after their crucial win over Celta Vigo on Saturday night, and Real knew they needed to get the job done to stay in the race for the title. 

Madrid began the game on the front foot in the first half yet struggled to create clear cut opportunities until Vinicius struck in the 80th minute in the second 45.

However, that goal was cancelled by VAR due to an interference in the initial play, and Real continued plugging away until the final minute of the match. 

With three minutes to the end of the game in injury time, Valverde struck a stunning volley within the Bilbao box and that was enough to grab all three points for Los Blancos.

The big result means Real now sit only four points behind leaders Barcelona, who they face in the Copa del Rey final next Saturday in what is expected to be a thrilling fixture.

Six matches remain in La Liga with an El Classico to play, and Madrid will keep piling the pressure on Barcelona as they hope to defend La Liga for the first time in 18 years.