MADRID, Defender Antonio Lopez netted a late header as Atletico Madrid fought back from two goals down to beat 10-man Villarreal 3-2 in the Primera Liga on Sunday. Forwards Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan were also on target and Atletico's victory moved them up to fifth on 43 points, two behind Villarreal and eight adrift of Sevilla in third.
Sevilla's bid to catch second-placed Real Madrid had earlier suffered a setback when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Andalusian rivals Malaga.
With 11 matches left, champions Real have 60 points after their 5-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and leaders Barcelona can restore their six-point advantage with a win at Almeria later on Sunday (2000 GMT).
The margin of victory at the Calderon would have been much wider but Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez produced a stunning display to block a wave of Atletico efforts, including Diego Forlan's penalty in the third minute.
The visitors took a surprise lead in the 19th minute when Javi Venta found space on the right and crossed for Matias Fernandez to finish high past the stranded Leo Franco.
Giuseppe Rossi slipped the ball through for Cani to double the lead early in the second period with a neat chip and Aguero was quickest to the ball to sidefoot into the empty net after Forlan's strike rebounded off the post.
Villarreal played the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Venta was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Simao Sabrosa and Forlan's equaliser on 80 minutes set the stage for Lopez's winner three minutes later.
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At the Rosaleda earlier on Sunday, Frederic Kanoute and Luis Fabiano scored second-half goals to salvage a point for Sevilla after a double from Salva Ballesta put Malaga 2-0 ahead.
Mali international Kanoute ran on to Diego Perotti's pass and finished between the legs of keeper Inaki Goitia in the 74th minute and Luis Fabiano nodded home the equaliser with just over five minutes left.
Malaga midfielder Javier Calleja was shown a straight red card for a foul on Diego Capel with 10 minutes left.
Elsewhere, Serbian striker Nikola Zigic scored twice as Racing Santander trounced visiting Numancia 5-0 and Deportivo Coruna were beaten 3-2 at Sporting Gijon.
Ten-man Espanyol came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at home to fellow strugglers Real Mallorca.
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