Carlo Ancelotti's men were 3-0 winners at home to Eibar, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Hernandez goals in the first half were followed by Jese's effort late on.
Real (73 points) closed on Barcelona (75), who coughed up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Sevilla - while Atletico also gave up an early advantage, before coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Malaga.
Atletico's stumble leaves them back on 66 points, and in jeopardy of losing their UEFA Champions League group stage spot to Valencia (62) - the latter with a game in hand.
Celta de Vigo striker Mina stole the show on Sunday, however, as he scored four times in his side's 6-1 rout of Rayo Vallecano.
But Joaquin Larrivey equalised in the sixth minute, before Mina's first put Eduardo Berizzo's men ahead.
