Sebastien Ogier was still on course to retain his world title on Saturday despite seeing his lead cut over the day's first three special stages in the Rally of Spain.
The Frenchman started the second day of the penultimate round of the 2014 championship 36.6 seconds ahead of Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala, the only man who can deprive him of the title.
But by the end of the third special, Latvala had made inroads into his lead and was 28.3 seconds adrift, with another Finn, Mikko Hirvonen, in a Ford Fiesta, third, 51.9 seconds behind.
Ogier went into Spain with a 27-point lead over Latvala in the standings.
The Finn must finish above Ogier, taking at least two more points, to remain in the hunt at the Wales Rally GB next month.
Unlike his error-hit performance on home ground in France last time out, Ogier had made the most of his rivals struggling with the dust and poor visibility caused by the low Spanish sun on the first day.
Latvala had lost precious time early on Friday when his Polo clipped a rock.
