La Liga wrap: Betis stun Real, Malaga end drought

Real Madrid have suffered yet another setback to their La Liga title defence after a shock 1-0 loss to Real Betis on Saturday.

Betis midfielder Benat put the home side ahead after 17 minutes and from there Pepe Mel’s held on against a lucklustre Real outfit, who saw a Karim Benzema strike wrongly ruled out for offside.

The result sees Jose Mourinho’s men remain eight points behind leaders Barcelona but that gap could extend to as many as eleven as Tito Vilanova’s side prepare to face Levante on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Malaga ended a five-game winless streak in all competitions by thumping Valencia 4-0 at Estadio La Rosaleda.

Francisco Portillo got the home side off to the perfect start after eight minutes before Javier Saviola, Roque Santa Cruz and Isco all scored in the final 15 minutes to seal the emphatic win.

Malaga now move into fourth place with 22 points while Valencia are stuck in ninth as their indifferent form in La Liga continues.

Rayo Vallecano left it late as they overcame Mallorca 2-0.

Leo Baptistao gave his side the lead with three minutes remaining and then set up Andrija Delibasic to seal the victory on the stroke of full time.

In the day’s other fixture, Real Valladolid overcame lowly Granada 1-0.