Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will play a La Liga title decider at the Nou Camp stadium next weekend after leaders Atletico drew 1-1 at home to Malaga and second-placed Barca were held to a 0-0 stalemate at Elche yesterday.

On a day of nerve-jangling tension, when Atletico came desperately close to a late goal that would have clinched the championship, Real Madrid dropped out of the title race when they suffered a surprise 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo that left them five points behind their city rivals with one game remaining.

Atletico are top on 89 points from 37 matches, with Barca on 86 and Real, who were missing key players through injury at Celta including top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, on 84.

If Barca beat Atletico next Sunday they will be champions as they would have a better head-to-head record after the title rivals drew 0-0 at the Calderon in Madrid in January.

A draw would be enough for Atletico to secure their first domestic league title since 1996, when current coach Diego Simeone was in the team.

Samuel Sanchez gave Malaga a shock lead 25 minutes from time at Atletico’s packed Calderon stadium.

Jose Sosa levelled for the home side, who play Real in the Champions League final on May 24, in the 74th minute and Adrian came close to a winner in stoppage time but was denied by a brilliant save from Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

At Elche’s Martinez Valero arena in Alicante, Barca created plenty of chances but as so often this season they failed to take them.

Their bid for a fifth La Liga title in six seasons remains alive, however, despite consecutive draws.

Results: A. Bilbao vs R. Sociedad 1-1; A. Madrid vs Malaga 1-1; C. Vigo vs R. Madrid 2-0; Elche vs Barcelona 0-0; Espanyol vs Osasuna 1-1; Getafe vs Sevilla 1-0; Granada vs Almeria 0-2; R. Betis vs Valladolid 4-3.

Leading standings: A. Madrid 89; Barcelona 86; R. Madrid 84; A. Bilbao 69; Sevilla 60.