( dpa ) - Spanish leaders Real Madrid suffered their third league defeat on Saturday 2-0 away to surprise package Almeria.
The shock defeat means that second-placed Barcelona will reduce Real's lead to six points on Sunday if they win away to lowly Osasuna.
Real now have 53 points from 22 games.
The memorable win - which triggered an expected all-night celebration in the small southern port - takes Almeria up to seventh, their highest ever placing in La Liga.
The main man for Almeria was young forward Alvaro Negredo, who left Real in summer after being given few chances.
In the 15th minute Negredo got above Fabio Cannavaro to head a free-kick across the Real area, and defender Juanito Gutierrez turned the ball past Iker Casillas for the opening goal.
From then on Almeria were content to soak up the pressure and play on the break, a tactic often used by Real themselves this season.
Just one minute into the second half the hosts were given a penalty for a clumsy Cannavaro tackle from behind on the lively Negredo.
Negredo calmly put away the spot kick and Real were in massive trouble, especially as Ruud Van Nistelrooy had just limped off injured.
Almeria keeper Diego Alves pulled off spectacular saves from Raul Gonzalo Higuain, who had come on for Van Nistelrooy. But Almeria also had good chances on the break to make it 3-0.
Later on Saturday Betis face Deportivo Coruna in what promises to be a tense relegation clash between two fallen giants.
