Real Madrid conceded further ground to Barcelona in the Primera Division title race when they drew 2-2 at home to fourth-placed Valencia on Saturday night.
Two goals in seven minutes from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego put Champions League-chasing Valencia in the driving seat, while Real's misery was compiled when Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in a lively first half at the Bernabeu.
Real regrouped in the second half as Pepe headed home to halve the deficit and a sensational long-range Isco strike drew them level in the closing stages, but Carlo Ancelotti's side could not find a winner and subsequently trail Barca, who earlier beat David Moyes' Real Sociedad, by four points with two games remaining.
Barca beat Sociedad 2-0 thanks to a header from Neymar and a stunning overhead kick from Pedro in the second half.
Luis Enrique's side could not offer the same barnstorming performance that saw them romp to victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday as the Basque club produced another impressive defensive display against the Catalans, but their resistance wilted after the break.
At the other end of the table, Granada ensured they remain in the fight to avoid relegation by beating Cordoba 2-0 in an Andalusian derby at El Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium, with the visitors finishing the game with nine men.
Inigo Lopez was given his marching orders on the half hour and Diego Mainz capitalised by giving Granada the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Youssef El Arabi scored from the spot midway through the second half to finish off the game as a contest, which became even more one-sided when Fede Cartabia talked himself into a red card with 12 minutes to go.
Granada stay in the relegation zone but move on to 31 points and are now level with Eibar, who lost 2-0 to Espanyol on Friday and occupy the last position outside the bottom three, and Deportivo.
In the day's other game, Alberto Lopo's goal three minutes into stoppage-time handed Depor a precious point in their battle to avoid the drop.
Aritz Aduriz had put Athletic Bilbao ahead after 14 minutes but Lopo pounced at the death to make it 1-1 and ensure Depor remain in the bottom three only on goal difference.
Source: PA
