MADRID: Barcelona maintained their unbeaten record but lost their perfect one as Real Madrid edged closer to them in the LaLiga table.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both scored their first LaLiga goals of the season as Real Madrid defeated Getafe 2-1.

Benzema, back after a month out with a hamstring injury, took advantage of some lacklustre Getafe defending to break the deadlock six minutes before the break.

The hosts levelled through Jorge Molina, who had appeared offside when he turned home Faycal Fajr’s cross, before Ronaldo claimed the winner five minutes from time.

Moments earlier the Portuguese, whose previous five goals for his club had come in the Spanish Super Cup or Champions League, had somehow missed the target from around three yards out but he made up for that with a clinical finish after substitute Isco had spotted him with a ball over the top.

Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s final LaLiga game.

Saul Niguez gave the home side the lead midway through the first half, but Barcelona got their deserved equaliser late in the day when Luis Suarez nodded home a Sergi Roberto cross, soon after Lionel Messi had struck the post.

The result meant the end of Barcelona’s perfect start but preserved their unbeaten record, their lead over Real cut by just one to five points.

The two giants of Spanish football do not face each other until December 23 and both are long odds-on to win their next LaLiga games back on home soil.

Real welcome Tottenham to the Bernabeu as the Champions League resumes in midweek, with Barca welcoming Greek side Olympiakos.

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