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Reuters: Leaders Barcelona’s Anoeta Stadium jinx struck again when they lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad on Saturday, their second successive defeat in La Liga.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to hit 30 La Liga goals in six consecutive seasons as he inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 thrashing of Eibar while Fernando Torres was on target once more as Atletico Madrid triumphed 3-1 at Espanyol.
Winger Mikel Oiarzabal headed the only goal for Sociedad in the fifth minute.
“The game began in the worst way possible,” said Barca coach Luis Enrique. “We played really badly in the first half.
“We didn’t deserve to lose but we are still the leaders. Now we have to pick ourselves up after leaving this great stadium where we never do well.”
Barca, without top scorer Luis Suarez through suspension, fielded a much-changed side and managed just five shots on target all game.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts during match - REUTERS
Luis Enrique’s team have 76 points with six games to go, one ahead of Atletico and four in front of Real Madrid.
After going unbeaten in all competition for six months, Barca have followed last week’s 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid with another slip-up.
The European champions are without a victory in three league outings, their longest stretch since Luis Enrique took charge in 2014.
The coach made four changes to the team that lost to Real Madrid, bringing back midfielder Rafinha after a six-month injury absence and starting without Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic.
Barca were handed their fifth defeat in six visits to Sociedad after 18-year-old Oiarzabal nodded in a cross from Xabi Prieto.
The visitors struggled to get back in the game and home goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli did well to save from Lionel Messi twice, substitute Iniesta and Arda Turan.
Ronaldo netted for Real Madrid in the 19th minute and also provided passes for Lucas Vazquez and Jese to score as the hosts stormed into a 4-0 halftime lead against Eibar.
Real who host Wolfsburg in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday.
Torres bounced back from his sending-off in the midweek Champions League defeat to Barca by scoring his third goal in as many games, cancelling out Papa Diop’s opener in the 29th minute for Espanyol.
France international Antoine Griezmann grabbed his 20th league goal of the season to put the visitors ahead on 58 minutes and midfielder Koke sealed the points for Diego Simeone’s side with a close-range finish in the 89th.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (L) scores a goal against Eibar - REUTERS
