Sporting de Gijon 2 - 1 Atletico de Madrid: Atletico Madrid stunned by league defeat to Sporting Gijon

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2016 by PA

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on Primera Division leaders Barcelona after a 2-1 defeat at Sporting Gijon at El Molinon.

Antoine Griezmann broke the deadlock after 29 minutes with his 17th league goal of the season but Sporting's Antonio Sanabria levelled late in the second half before Carlos Castro stroked home an 89th-minute winner as the home side edged closer to safety.

Diego Simeone's side will now hope Barcelona, who have an eight-point cushion and could open up a double-digit lead at the top of the table, drop points at Villarreal on Sunday.

Atletico, who were searching for a fifth consecutive league win, came into the game on the back of an exhausting penalty shoot-out victory over PSV Eindhoven in midweek while Gijon were winless in eight games.

In a fairly even opening, Griezmann's free-kick brought the game to life as his sublime strike gave Ivan Cuellar no chance in the home goal.

Abelardo Fernandez's men rarely threatened the resolute Atletico defence before Pablo Perez's second-half effort was saved by Jan Oblak.

Sanabria hit the post before producing a moment of brilliance to level for the relegation-threatened side.

The 20-year-old's fierce free-kick looked to have secured a point in the 79th minute, but the hosts went one better and took a surprise lead 10 minutes later.

Castro latched on to Jony's pass to slot home, with the result a major dent in hopes Atletico had of mounting a late title push.