Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points despite blowing a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 at Villarreal on Sunday. Ivan Rakitic and a controversial Neymar penalty had Barca on course for a 13th consecutive La Liga win before half-time.
Yet, Villarreal were more than worthy of a point and got their reward after the break through Cedric Bakambu and Jeremy Mathieu's own goal.
Real Madrid can move to within 10 points of Barca ahead of the meeting between the two sides in two weeks when they host Sevilla later on Sunday.
However, Sevilla also have the chance to close the gap on Villarreal to just three points in the fight for the fourth Champions League place.
"It is a positive result for us," said Barca boss Luis Enrique.
"The best teams in the league have lost here, we've drawn. We were close to winning, but also could have lost. "It is a positive round of fixtures for us. One less (to go) and one point closer to our objectives."
The sides held a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of 13 people killed in a bus crash carrying foreign exchange students in Spain earlier on Sunday.
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