REAL Madrid lost 1-0 at Villarreal to fall five points behind the Spanish league’s two frontrunners Sunday, after Atletico Madrid pulled level with leader Barcelona by fighting back to win 2-1 against Athletic Bilbao.

    Roberto Soldado scored Villarreal’s winner eight minutes into a first half it completely dominated, before the hosts held off Madrid’s furious response after the break.

    Cut adrift by the pacesetters, Madrid’s defeat left it just two points above fourth-place Celta Vigo and three ahead of Villarreal in fifth.

    The stumble will add even more pressure on already questioned coach Rafa Benitez after a difficult month that included a 4-0 loss to Barcelona and disqualification from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

    Madrid not only saw Atletico pull away, it also failed to take advantage of defending champion Barcelona’s second consecutive draw in the league, when held 2-2 by Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

    Villarreal physically bossed the star-studded visitors and created a constant threat during a first half that Madrid was fortunate to finish only one goal down.

    Jonathan Dos Santos set the tone four minutes in when he rattled the upright with strike, after Cedric Bakambu set him up following an electrifying run through the heart of Madrid’s defense.

    It was a warning for what soon followed. Bruno Soriano tackled Luka Modric to recover the ball and send it forward to Bakambu, who slid a pass over for Soldado to sweep between the legs of goalie Keylor Navas.

    Bakambu and Soldado continued to torment Madrid’s backline, with Soldado playing Bakambu through on the break only for his shot to roll wide before the half-hour mark.

    Sergio Ramos and Pepe soon were scrambling again to frustrate another vibrant Villarreal move forward that almost left Denis Suarez with a shot inside the box, before another flowing series of passes ended with Bakambu firing high.

    “The first half was the best we have played this season, and we had a good deal of luck in the second,” said Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia.

    Overrun in the first half, Madrid roared out of the halftime break, but failed to finish off its chances.

    Cristiano Ronaldo shot high before Karim Benzema had Madrid’s first two clear scoring opportunities that both missed by inches.

    Gareth Bale then drew a save from goalie Alphonse Areola before Benzema was all alone but headed well wide.

    Earlier, Valencia remained winless in its second match since Gary Neville took over as coach after needing an own goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at Eibar.

    Malaga also got its first away win of the season, a 2-1 victory at Rayo Vallecano thanks to Duje Cop’s winning goal with three minutes remaining. (SD-Agencies)