La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at mid-table Athletic Bilbao on Saturday after a bullet header from Aritz Aduriz in the first half secured the points.
Aduriz outjumped defender Pepe to power a Mikel Rico cross into the top corner after 26 minutes of a frenetic first-half.
"The game was lost in the first half when Athletic scored and then in the second half we were unable to get back into the match," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.
"It is not a physical problem as in the second half we had a lot of the ball but we were unable to create clear chances."
Real have taken just one point from their last two games and, although they are two points clear, will be overhauled if Barcelona beat visitors Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
"The league is difficult now but it was also difficult when we had a four-point lead," Real midfielder Isco told reporters.
"There is a long way to go and there are a lot of games. Things didn’t go well today but they can change from one moment to another. Our heads are a bit down now but that can change quickly."
Real were denied time on the ball by Bilbao, who are on a high after booking a place in the King’s Cup final with victory over Espanyol on Wednesday.
Bilbao were unable to maintain the pressure after the break and Real began to dominate possession but the visitors struggled to create openings.
Instead Aduriz came within inches of getting a second goal with another header which hit the outside of the post.
Real forward Gareth Bale almost equalised but hit the post with a spectacular effort seven minutes from time when he lobbed keeper Gorka Iraizoz midway inside the Bilbao half.
Dramatic victory
Sevilla’s Vitolo scored twice as they put their Champions League qualification hopes back on track with a dramatic 4-3 victory at Deportivo La Coruna.
Another double from Depor’s Oriol Riera could not prevent Sevilla picking up their first win in three league games, which cements fifth place in the table on 49 points.
Riera opened the scoring in the 28th minute only for Vitolo to quickly respond with an equaliser.
The Sevilla striker then demonstrated more clinical finishing after 52 minutes, having been allowed space in the centre of the penalty area.
Sevilla’s Kevin Gameiro converted a controversial penalty after Vitolo, played onside by injured defender Juanfran, was felled by Pablo Insua in the box.
Riera pulled a goal back for Deportivo to make it 3-2 before their Brazilian central defender Sidnei diverted a Vitolo shot into his own net.
As the conclusion to a contest featuring some hapless defending, Sevilla defender Nicolas Pareja upended Helder Costa for another spot kick, which Depor’s Lucas Perez struck home.
Elche beat Almeria 1-0 after Victor Rodriguez hit a sixth-minute winner while second-bottom Granada won by that scoreline against Malaga with a 57th minute Ignacio Camacho own goal.
Elche’s win has taken them out of the relegation places and onto 27 points while Almeria are now third-bottom with 24, one point below the safety zone and two points above Granada.
Rare start
In Bilbao, Real’s Asier Illarramendi was given a rare starting place in the midfield where they are still missing the injured Luka Modric and James Rodriguez.
The hosts were missing highly-rated defender Aymeric Laporte so Carlos Gurpegi started alongside Xabier Etxeita at the back.
Real were unsettled by a high-tempo start from Bilbao and were unable to link up their play in the middle of the pitch.
Their frustration was clearly shown by a wild kick from Toni Kroos on Andoni Iraola, shortly after Aduriz’s goal, that brought the Germany midfielder a yellow card.
Exciting Bilbao youngster Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain stretched the Real defence and when the visitors did look to attack they appeared tentative.
Bilbao could not keep up the same rhythm throughout the match but Real were unable to take advantage.
Ancelotti’s side have lost their way with just two victories in five games and they misfired again in attack.
They were reduced to shots from distance and in the final stages, aside from Bale’s effort, Bilbao seemed comfortable.

Real Madrid stumbles against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga race

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during their Spanish first division soccer match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames stadium in Bilbao. (Reuters)
Sunday 08 March 2015
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:46 - GMT 06:46
DAY | WEEK |
-
4318 Views Trump leaves White House for the last time as president
-
3844 Views Israel, Syria officials discuss removal of Iran and its militias from Syria: Report
-
2329 Views Trump leaves a letter for Biden before leaving the White House
-
2032 Views Coronavirus: Dubai orders hospitals to cancel surgeries amid surge in COVID-19 cases
-
1347 Views Vegan Saudi prince invests in lab-grown seafood company
-
908 Views Russia refuses Syria’s use as an arena for an Iran-Israel confrontation: Lavrov
-
21100 Views Coronavirus: Doctor in Saudi Arabia leaves hospital after battling virus for 139 days
-
17936 Views Coronavirus: Number of new UAE COVID-19 cases reaches record high
-
16395 Views Airstrikes pound Iran-backed militias south of Iraq’s Baghdad: Reports
-
7697 Views Coronavirus cases in the UAE surge as authorities detect 3,407 new infections
-
7633 Views Dubai to test launch iconic London Taxi vehicles using hybrid cabs
-
6330 Views Coronavirus in the UAE: Abu Dhabi updates rules on entering the emirate
SHOW MORE