A goal from Sergio Ramos was enough to gave Real Madrid a slender 1-0 win against city rivals Getafe to maintain their seven-point lead over title rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish Liga.
The visitors dominated possession but created few clear-cut opportunities and the match was eventually settled by Ramos’s 18th-minute goal, the Spanish international defender meeting Mesut Özil’s corner with a flying header that powered into the top right coner.
Barcelona looked to be on their way to a comfortable victory against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. Debutant forward Cristian Tello gave Josep Guardiola’s men a ninth-minute lead, latching on to Lionel Messi’s defence-splitting pass, and slotting an angled shot past the onrushing goalkeeper.
But it took until the 72nd minute for the hosts to extend their lead, Messi volleying in Daniel Alves’s back-post cross. Carlos Vela responded just two minutes later to make for a tense finale but the Azulgrana held on, crucially matching Madrid to stay in contention at the top.
In the league’s other games, Mallorca were the only side to earn all three points, defeating Real Betis Balompié 1-0 at Son Moix, Levante maintained their position in fourth with a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Real Racing Club. Finally Athletic Club and Espanyol played out a thrilling 3-3 draw.
