Atletico shock Barcelona to leave Spanish league title race wide open

Barca's lead over title rivals Real Madrid was reduced to two points after Pep Guardiola's defensively depleted side crashed to defeat in the Spanish capital.

Missing the injured Eric Abidal, Dani Alves, Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Yaya Toure, along with Rafa Marquez and Gerard Pique suspended, Barca struggled from the start while Seydou Keita soon limped off to add to their problems.

Diego Forlan put Atletico ahead from an excellent Jose Antonio Reyes pass that split the defence open before Sergio Aguero missed an excellent chance to go two up.

A neat Simao free-kick though made it 2-0 for the hosts, only after which Barca began to find their feet.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back with a close-range volley even as Barca pressed in the second half but could not find the equaliser and succumbed to their first defeat of the season.

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