La Liga: Bilbao Stun Atletico To Leave Title Race Wide Open

Atletico Madrid suffered a huge La Liga title race setback as Athletic Bilbao stunned league leaders 2-1 at the Sam Mames with Barcelona 2 points behind with a game at hand.

Real Madrid's draw with Real Betis on Saturday gave Atletico the chance to pull further clear but instead, they ended the weekend with their lead reduced, a loss at San Mames the latest twist in Europe's most unpredictable domestic chase.

Barca had earlier beaten Villarreal by the same scoreline, with Antoine Griezmann's quick-fire double becoming all the more valuable after another Atletico slip.

READ ALSO: Barca Moves 2nd With Griezmann's Brace Against Villarreal

Sevilla have largely been overlooked as possible champions in Spain but they are right in the mix as well now after a 2-1 win over Granada puts them just three points off the top and one behind Real Madrid.

Yet Barcelona were the biggest winners, with Ronald Koeman's team able to go top of the table if they win their game in hand at home to Granada on Thursday, even if Atletico might have a way back given they are still to play at Camp Nou on 8 May while Real Madrid host Sevilla a day later.

"There are four of us in that race and now emotionally, those who have the mental strength will be closer to winning," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

READ ALSO: La Liga: Atleti Slip To Defeat At Sevilla, Title Race Open

"We still know that we depend on ourselves."

Atletico have first place, for now at least, but they might be the least convincing of all the contenders.

Losing to Athletic Bilbao means they have won only six of their last 14 league games, with the momentum gained from consecutive wins over Eibar and Huesca proving short-lived.

The way some of Simeone's players dropped to their knees at the final whistle suggested this result, psychologically, could be difficult to recover from.

Talking Points

Alex Berengeur had already nodded in Ander Capa's cross in the eighth minute and Athletic should have doubled their advantage in the second half but Oihan Sancet fired over.

Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Thomas Lemar all came on and Atletico grabbed a lifeline when Stefan Savic's flicked header found its way inside the back post with 13 minutes left.

Simeone pumped his fists, urging his players to seek a winner, but instead, there was a sucker punch from Athletic, Inigo Martinez darting free in the box and powering a superb header past Jan Oblak with four minutes remaining.