Barca were undoubtedly the big winners of the weekend in Spain's top flight, with leaders Real unable to restore their four-point gap at the summit thanks to a 1-1 draw with Villarreal.
Cristiano Ronaldo had put the hosts on course for a win at Santiago Bernabeu with his second-half penalty, but Carlo Ancelotti's men were somewhat below par.
Real's lacklustre showing was punished when Gerard Moreno fired home 26 minutes from time to ensure Marcelino's men a deserved point.
Like Real, Atletico were frustrated by a side chasing European qualification in the form of Sevilla.
In a feisty and ill-tempered goalless affair that saw 11 bookings in total, quality was at a premium as Diego Simeone's defending champions could only move within five points of Barca.
Valencia can look back on a successful weekend as they made the most of Atleti's draw with Sevilla to strengthen their grip on fourth.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men now sit just a point off Atleti after Pablo Piatti's quickfire brace shortly after the interval helped them a 2-0 win over David Moyes' Real Sociedad.
Athletic Bilbao bounced back from their UEFA Europa League disappointment against Torino as Carlos Gurpegi's first-half strike settled the Basque derby against Eibar.
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