Real Madrid's stunning loss to Athletic Bilbao puts dent in title bid

Real Madrid failed to overcome a first half deficit and dropped three crucial points during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao.

Aritz Aduriz was the hero after his first-half header turned out to be the game-winner, with the Bilbao back-line and 'keeper stubbornly denying Real Madrid's advances in the final third.

The loss could prove to be more damaging for the stunned visitors if Barcelona come away with a victory against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday to knock Real Madrid off the La Liga perch.

Los Blancos came close to finding an equaliser on several occasions in the second half, but brilliant goalkeeping and luck went against the defending European champions.

Gareth Bale had a chance to make peace with Madrid supporters when his second-half effort from 50-yards out narrowly missed going in and smacked off the post. Javier Hernandez's attempt to score on the rebound failed when the Mexican missed the ball by inches.

The result extended Bilbao's unbeaten streak to five in the Primera Division, and comes just days after the club advanced to the Copa Del Rey final following a win over  Espanyol.