BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Spanish football league leader Real Madrid lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, stumbling for a second straight week.
Aritz Aduriz rose to head in the only goal in the 26th minute, and strike partner Inaki Williams outshone Madrid’s star-studded attack led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Ballon d’Or holder was left without a shot on goal, as Madrid’s best chance came toward the end when Gareth Bale’s long lob hit the post.
Madrid, which drew at home to Villarreal in the previous round, were left two points ahead of Barcelona. The Catalan club can go top by beating Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Madrid visit Barcelona’s Camp Nou in two weeks.
In contrast with the better-rested visitors, Bilbao’s victory came three days after they advanced to the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. Bilbao rose to eighth place.
Elsewhere, forward Victor “Vitolo” Machin scored twice, earned a penalty, and provoked an own goal to lead fifth-place Sevilla’s entertaining 4-3 win at Deportivo La Coruna.
Granada also beat Malaga 1-0 at home to move closer to escaping the relegation zone.
Elche edged Almeria 1-0 at home to emerge from the drop zone and push Almeria down into the bottom three teams threatened to fall come season’s end.