Valverde stunner gives Madrid vital late win
Federico Valverde fired home a sensational stoppage-time winner as Real Madrid clawed its way to a narrow 1-0 victory over Athletic Club to keep its LaLiga title defence just about on track.
Los Blancos had to win to cut the gap to league leader Barcelona back to four points after Hansi Flick's side came from behind to win its match against Celta Vito 4-3 on Sunday (AEST).
But for much of the match it looked as if Athletic would hold off the defending champion, which appeared still to be hungover from its humbling UEFA Champions League exit to Arsenal in midweek.
However, a moment of sheer brilliance from Valverde broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute when he rifled home an incredible volley to hand Carlo Ancelotti's side all three points.
The first half produced few chances for either side, Vinicius Junior coming the closest to scoring with a long-range drive that whistled over Unai Simon's crossbar.
The Spain goalkeeper was significantly busier in the second period, though.
Rodrygo put an early chance wide of the far post before Simon pushed away another effort from Eduardo Camavinga, who fired on target after a lung-busting run from deep.
Thubaut Courtois made his only save of the night from Unai Gomez's effort just before the hour mark, and minutes later, Simon was called into action for arguably his best save as a sublime trivela cross from Vinicius was met well by the head of Jude Bellingham, but tipped over the bar.
Bellingham came close with his head again from the resulting corner, nodding it just wide of the post, and it started to looked even more like it wouldn't be Madrid's night when Vinicius had a goal chalked off in the 79th minute after the video assistant referee intervened.
But to their credit, the hosts persisted and in the depths of stoppage-time, Valverde came up with the answer they had been looking for, teeing himself up for a volley inside the box that arrowed into the top corner to win the match at the death.
Madrid remains in second place with 69 points, with the vital second Clasico of the league season still to play against leader Barcelona on 12 May (AEST).
Meanwhile, Athletic Club, which seemed intent simply on not losing this match, remains in fourth spot on 57 points, six behind Atletico Madrid but crucially still five ahead of Villarreal in fifth.
