27 Aug 2012

Real beaten in La Liga

9:55 am on 27 August 2012

Real Madrid's troubled start to the Spanish football season has continued after the champions squandered the lead and crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at city rivals Getafe to slip five points behind leaders Barcelona.

Jose Mourinho's side, who were held to a 1-all draw at home to Valencia on matchday one last weekend, looked comfortably in control when Gonzalo Higuain fired them ahead from close range in the 27th minute at the Coliseum in Madrid.

Their failure to capitalise on long periods of possession ultimately cost them and lowly Getafe levelled eight minutes after the break when Juan Valera nodded past Iker Casillas from a free-kick.

It went from bad to worse for Real 15 minutes from time when substitute Adrian Colunga set up Abdelaziz Barrada to smash the ball high into the net and secure a famous victory.

Lionel Messi had earlier saved an off-colour Barca from a first defeat of the campaign when he struck twice in the second half in a 2-1 comeback victory at 10-man Osasuna.

Barca have six points from two games and top the table on goal difference from Rayo Vallecano, who also have six after their 2-1 win at Real Betis on Saturday.