UPDATE 1-Soccer-Controversial goal earns Villarreal victory

* Recreativo lose 2-1 to debatable Villarreal winner

* Atletico's Champions League hopes dented by 5-1 defeat

* Espanyol continue climb to safety with 3-0 win

(Updates after late games)

By Mark Elkington

MADRID, April 23 (Reuters) - A controversial goal from Cani gave Villarreal a 2-1 comeback win at home to Recreativo Huelva that took them up to fifth in the Primera Liga on Thursday.

The midfielder's lob was ruled to have crossed the line when it was cleared from under the bar by defender Nasief Morris in the 67th minute. Television replays were inconclusive.

Another superb lob by Villarreal's Joseba Llorente towards the end of the opening half had cancelled out Javier Camunas's first minute opener for the visitors.

Villarreal moved on to 52 points, three behind fourth-placed Valencia, leaving Recreativo deep in relegation trouble in 19th.