Atletico Madrid 0-2 Levante: La Liga leaders lose first game at home this season
- Published
Jose Luis Morales (second right) was a threat when Levante counter-attacked
Atletico Madrid's grip of the lead at the top of La Liga loosened after a surprise home defeat by Levante.
Their second meeting against the Valencian side in a week was decided by Jose Luis Morales' 30th-minute deflected strike and Jorge de Frutos' stoppage-time effort.
Atletico, who created 28 efforts on goal, were thwarted by goalkeeper Dani Cardenas on several occasions.
Real Madrid later closed the gap to three points with a win at Valladolid.
Third place Barcelona, nine points adrift of Atletico, play Cadiz on Sunday at 13:00 GMT.
Levante's 23-year-old keeper was in superb form, notably stopping Joao Felix's strike from point-blank range before blocking a thumping half-volley from the Portuguese forward. He also scrambled across his goal to keep out a late low drive from Renan Lodi.
When Cardenas was beaten the post saved him, with Luis Suarez's brilliant 30-yard free-kick thundering off the woodwork.
Levante were a threat during counter-attacks, especially in the first-half. Morales had missed a golden chance before he converted his second with a low strike that came off the leg of defender Felipe.
With seconds remaining, Levante scored their second. Atletico keeper Jan Oblak joined his team-mates for a corner, but was stranded when the visitors broke away with De Frutos finding the empty goal with a superb finish.
This was Levante's first win at Atletico in the league, and it was also the first home league defeat for Diego Simeone's side since December 2019.