Real Madrid leads in Spain as Barcelona slips up

Madrid celebrated soon after the break when Benzema tapped in a cross from Esteban Granero with his instep — only for the referee to rule the striker offside.

The intensity of Madrid's early play faded as the game wore on and Raul replaced Benzema on the hour.

Higuain nearly scored his second when Royston Drenthe set him up after a defensive mix-up, but Rodriguez saved the shot.

Santander's Sergio Canales was ruled offside after scoring in the 78th although replays appeared to show the goal was legal.

Earlier, Sevilla beat Tenerife 2-1 to notch 25 points and keep it in touch with the leaders, while Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Deportivo La Coruna after an injury-time penalty to stay in the relegation zone.

Sevilla's Diego Perotti tapped home in the 33rd minute from a cross by winger Jesus Navas. Renato's long-range strike straight after the break underlined the Andalusian team's attacking superiority.

However, Juan Francisco “Nino” Martinez made it 2-1 in the 76th with a first-time shot.

In Tenerife, Sergio Aguero put Atletico ahead in the fourth minute after a lapse by defender Alberto Lopo gave the Argentina striker space to shoot from an acute angle.

La Coruna defender Diego Colotto equalized in the 21st, heading in at the far post from a corner.

Jose Guardado scored from the penalty spot deep into injury time to leave Atletico with seven points and one win from its first 11 games of the season. La Coruna is fourth with 22 points.

On Sunday, it's: Xerez vs. Sporting Gijon; Villarreal vs. Valladolid; Espanyol vs. Getafe; Mallorca vs. Almeria; Malaga vs. Zaragoza and Osasuna vs. Valencia.

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