Barcelona will have to wait another week to potentially secure the La Liga title following their 2-2 draw with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, with Real Madrid overcoming Atletico Madrid in the capital derby.
With the top two in Spain both humbled by German outfits in the Champions League semi-finals last week, their focus switched to the domestic campaign, with Barcelona hoping that the league crown would provide some welcome relief with a possible European exit looming.
However, a draw against lowly Bilbao, followed by Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon meant that Jose Mourinho's side moved to within 11 points of the Catalan outfit with five matches remaining.
The action on Week 33 commenced on Friday evening as Rayo Vallecano welcomed Osasuna to the Spanish capital. Despite Rayo dominating possession, the away side picked up a point in a 2-2 draw to move three points clear of the relegation zone.
Saturday proved to be a vital day at the bottom of the table, meanwhile, with Celta Vigo picking up a 1-0 win over Levante to move onto 30 points, before Real Zaragoza edged a five-goal thriller against Real Mallorca, who dropped to the bottom of the table.
Espanyol welcomed Granada in the opening match on Sunday, with the away side securing a vital three points in a surprise 1-0 victory, before Malaga continued their push for the top four with a close-fought 2-1 win over a battling Getafe outfit.
Sevilla's away-day struggles also continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Valladolid, before Real Sociedad moved five points clear of fifth position courtesy of a 4-2 win over fellow Champions League-chasers Valencia, with an incredible three goals coming in the last five minutes.
The round of fixtures was completed on Monday as Deportivo La Coruna continued their sensational run of form with a 1-1 draw against European hopefuls Real Betis in Seville.
Here, Sports Mole selects its 11 star performers in La Liga following another pulsating week of Spanish action.
Jaime (Real Valladolid)
The 32-year-old was handed a rare start for Valladolid in their 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday, but the experienced Spaniard certainly did not disappoint. With the away side forcing the issue in the second period, Jaime was called on to make a number of saves. He answered that call with a succession of fine stops in the latter stages.
Pape Diakhate (Granada)
The Senegal defender was simply sensational in Granada's 1-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday. The 28-year-old's afternoon was summed up in the first period when the ball struck him in the face from barely five yards, but he was more concerned with where the ball had gone than worrying about his injury.
Raoul Loe (Osasuna)
The Frenchman is never going to be the most technically gifted player in the division, but he makes up for that with pure desire. Not only did the 23-year-old level with a powerful header in Osasuna's 2-2 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Friday, he was a tower of strength at the heart of their defence.
Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
There is no question that the 21-year-old has been one of the star performers in La Liga this season. He was at his defensive best in Sociedad's 4-2 win over Valencia on Sunday, but it was his stunning volley in the first period that really caught the attention.
Weligton (Malaga)
The Brazilian has been a fixture in this team all season, but based on his performances, it is impossible to leave him out. Not only was the experienced centre-back at his defensive best in Malaga's 2-1 win over Getafe on Sunday, he added his side's second with a powerful header.
Mikel Balenziaga (Real Valladolid)
The 25-year-old was given the task of shackling Jesus Navas in Valladolid's 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday. There was only one winner with the Spanish defender marking the winger out of the match. The only disappointment was that his side could not pick up all three points.
Patrick Ebert (Real Valladolid)
It does appear that the German is heading for Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, which is not a surprise based on his form this season. He was up to his old tricks in the 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday as he set up Javi Guerra for the first goal, before rattling the crossbar with a fine effort in the second period.
Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo)
It is no surprise that when Fernandez plays well, Celta play well. The 27-year-old scored arguably his most important goal of the season in his side's 1-0 win over Levante on Saturday. However, it was his calmness and ability on the ball that impressed the most.
Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)
It has not quite happened for the young Spaniard this season, but there is no doubting his ability. The 23-year-old simply did not stop running in Bilbao's 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Saturday, while he secured his side a share of the spoils with a fine finish in the final minute.
Ruben Rochina (Real Zaragoza)
The Spaniard's last-gasp strike for Real Zaragoza on Saturday secured a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Real Mallorca. Along with scoring arguably the club's most important goal of the season, Rochina demonstrated his class and quality from the very moment he entered the field in the second period.
Imanol Agirretxe (Real Sociedad)
The Spaniard continued his fine scoring run with a double in Sociedad's 4-2 win over Valencia on Sunday. However, aside from his two goals, which came in the last five minutes, it was his hold-up play that really caught the attention. He is a prime example of where hard work can get you.
