Real Madrid leads in Spain as Barcelona slips up

Madrid has 28 points and Barcelona 27. The teams meet on Nov. 29 in Barcelona.

Gonzalo Higuain's first-half goal, following up on a rebound of a Kaka shot, was enough for Madrid to secure three points.

Daniel Alves broke the deadlock for Barcelona at San Mames Stadium charging on to a Xavi Hernandez pass to score in the 53rd minute. Substitute Gaizka Toquero equalized 10 minutes later.

Barcelona was without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, due to a hamstring injury. Defenders Rafael Marquez and Eric Abidal and midfielder Yaya Toure were also sidelined, with swine flu.

The European champion controlled the game in the early stages, keeping the ball in Bilbao's half and creating several good chances.

Leo Messi, playing in attack alongside Andres Iniesta and Pedro Rodriguez, was a constant threat.

Bilbao, which was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by second-division Rayo Vallecano this month, allowed the Catalans to dominate possession and tried to hit them on the break.

Bilbao's Fernando Llorente earned a free kick when Dmytro Chygrynskiy brought the striker down outside the area in the 41st. Francisco Yeste blasted the kick over. Javi Martinez had his team's best chance of the first half when he rose unmarked to meet a Yeste corner, although his header went wide.

With the scores level and the clock ticking down Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola replaced Messi and Xavi Hernandez with Bojan Krkic and Thierry Henry, and despite some late pressure they could not create a second goal.

Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini played Higuain alongside Karim Benzema in attack, with Raul Gonzalez starting on the bench and Cristiano Ronaldo still out.

The first half hour saw a marked improvement on most of Madrid's performances this season. The team looked comfortable on the ball and carved out several clear chances before fading in the second half.

“We have to take into account that some important players are missing due to injury,” Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said. “We lacked brilliance and there were some boring spells, although we emerged with credit.”

Higuain struck the post and Kaka drew a fine save from Rodriguez during an early spell of fluid passing. Alvaro Arbeloa also struck the post, while midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso had one of his best games for Madrid.

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