La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday as Inigo Martinez’s late header threw the title race even further open.

Berenguer opened the scoring only eight minutes in, planting a diving header beyond Jan Oblak from six yards out after Ander Capa’s cross deflected off Felipe and looped into his path.

Atletico wanted a penalty for handball against Unai Nunez early in the second half, but their protests were met with shake of the head from referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes.

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.

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.

Atletico improved after the break, Marcos Llorente drilling just wide from 20 yards before Savic glanced home a corner to equalise – but Martinez powered home a set-piece header to win it.

But Barca, who beat Villareal on Sunday, have a game in hand and can go top by beating Granada on Thursday.

They are surely now favourites to add a La Liga title to the Copa del Rey they won earlier this month.

Atletico remain two points above Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Sevilla a point firther back in fourth place.