Barcelona let title slip with a whimper despite Lionel Messi free-kick

Barcelona limped to a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Osasuna on a night which saw their two-year grip on the Liga title slip to arch rivals Real Madrid.

Barca entered the match knowing that Zinedine Zidane's men would clinch the championship with a victory over Villarreal regardless of what they managed against Osasuna on home soil.

But any vague chances they had of staying in the title race faded quickly as Jose Arnaiz thundered home a fine finish which beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen at his near post on the quarter-hour mark.

The hosts responded with Lionel Messi striking the crossbar from a free-kick, while Martin Braithwaite had a goal disallowed after his Argentine team-mate was called marginally offside.

Messi had a number of free-kicks in goalscoring positions and finally took advantage with a brilliantly-placed effort into the top corner beyond the sprawling Sergio Herrera.

It was not enough to spark a comeback and Osasuna stole all three points at the death, with substitute Roberto Torres finishing a breakaway move at the far post in second-half stoppage time.

Elsewhere in La Liga, goals from Marcos Llorente and Teye Thomas gave Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win away at city rivals Getafe, who had Allan Nyom sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Sevilla, who sit fourth but are assured of Champions League football, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad in the Basque country.

Valencia are a mere point behind Getafe in the race for a Europa League place thanks to Kevin Gameiro's first-half winner in the 1-0 victory over Espanyol. They are level on points with surprise package Granada, who came from behind to win 2-1 over Mallorca. It was a bad night for the Balearic club, whose relegation was compounded by red cards for Aleksander Sedlar and Juan Hernandez.

Athletic Bilbao's European hopes were dented after a 2-0 home reverse to Leganes at San Mames. Goalkeeper Unai Simon was sent off early for the Basques, and the win was sealed with late goals from Miguel Angel Guerrero and Roger Assale.

Celta Vigo remain in trouble after losing 3-2 at home to Levante. Enis Bardhi scored gave the visitors a 2-0 lead but they were soon pegged back by Santi Mina and Iago Aspas. Borja Mayoral restored Levante's lead and they were able to hold on throughout the second half as both sides had a man dismissed.

Finally, Eibar beat Valladolid 3-1 at home Alaves came away from Real Betis with a 2-1 triumph.