Atletico loses at Sporting to stumble in Spanish title race

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Atletico Madrid stumbled in its pursuit of Barcelona for the Spanish league title after conceding two late goals to lose 2-1 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

Atletico looked set to maintain its title challenge after Antoine Griezmann scored from a free kick in the 29th minute.

The visitors' defense had resisted Sporting's attack until a late push produced a free kick that Antonio Sanabria blasted in with 11 minutes to play.

Sporting's Carlos Castro completed the turnaround with a goal in the 89th just after he appeared to have blown the comeback when he hit the bar with the net wide open.

Barcelona leads second-place Atletico by eight points before visiting fourth-place Villarreal on Sunday.