Barcelona's title celebrations fell flat as they surrendered a one-goal advantage to slip to a 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca.
With Real Madrid's defeat against Villarreal Saturday handing the Catalan side the Primera Division crown, expectations were of a showcase of Barca's attacking skills.
Samuel Eto'o scored after 10 minutes to set the expected tone but from there on it was a disappointing day for both player and club, as the striker missed a hatful of chances - including a last-gasp penalty.
At the other end a fine strike from the impressive Juan Arango and a deft Loureiro Santana header sealed the points for the hosts.
Atletico Madrid moved into fourth place after coming out on top against Valencia as the battle for the final Champions League place continues to go all the way.
Diego Forlan scored the only goal from the penalty spot after 30 minutes after Sergio Aguero had been brought down by visiting keeper Cesar Sanchez.
Atletico are now two points clear of Los Che.
At the other end of the table, Sporting Gijon moved out of the relegation zone after an impressive 2-1 victory against high-flying Malaga.
They achieved it thanks to an own goal eight minutes into the second half from Helder Rosario.
But that slice of luck was the least they deserved for a committed performance which sees them move above Osasuna on a better head-to-head record and out of immediate danger.
Gerard handed Sporting a 24th-minute lead with Robson Weligton levelling matters 14 minutes later for a Malaga side whose Champions League hopes are now all but over.
Real Betis also took a giant step towards survival with a 2-0 victory over Almeria which was far more convincing than the scoreline suggested.
Mark Gonzalez and Arzu netted in each half although the visitors' cause was not helped by the 20th-minute dismissal of Chico.
His foul on Edu gave Betis a penalty which the Brazilian could even afford to waste.
Betis are now three points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play.
A controversial late penalty gave Numancia a vital win in their relegation six-pointer against 10-man Recreativo Huelva.
The match, which had seemed destined for a goaless draw, was turned on its head three minutes from time when Iago Bouzon fouled Gorka Brit and the referee pointed to the penalty spot even though the incident appeared to have occurred outside the area.
The Recre players immediately surrounded Perez Lasa and Andres Lamas was handed a second yellow for his protests.
Jose Javier Barkero coolly dispatched the penalty to clinch a crucial three points for Numancia which lifts them into second from bottom and two points off safety.
Espanyol are almost assured of their place in the top flight next season following a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Athletic Bilbao at Montjuic.
Following a first half lacking in goalscoring opportunities for either side, Espanyol stepped up the tempo in the second period and finally took the lead through a Luis Garcia penalty after 69 minutes.
Racing Santander should also be in the Primera Division next season after beating Real Valladolid 3-2.
Oscar Serrano got the Cantabrians off to a great start when he fired the home side in front after just four minutes, but Valladolid hit back with two quick strikes from Victor and Henok Goitom to go in ahead at the interval.
Valladolid were reduced to 10 men three minutes after the break, though, when Inaki Bea was sent-off and Jonathan Pereira levelled for the home side on the hour mark.
The visitors defended bravely after that, but Nikola Zigic struck with a header five minutes from time to give Racing a vital win, which sees them move up to 42 points - five clear of the drop zone with only six to play for.
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