Real Madrid struck twice in the final four minutes to defeat city rivals Getafe 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu and reduce Barcelona’s Liga lead to three points.
It was the visitors, however, who took the lead after ten minutes when two former Madrid players combined. Esteban Granero cut inside Fabio Cannavaro and crossed for Roberto Soldado to head past Iker Casillas but, in added time at the end of the first half, the hosts restored parity, Gonzalo Higuaín outmuscling Daniel Díaz to bundle the ball in. With six minutes remaining, substitute Albín restored Getafe’s lead with a low effort from the edge of the penalty area only for Guti to level with a sumptuous curling free-kick.
Moments later Pepe was dismissed for fouling Francisco Casquero in the area but the midfielder’s ensuing penalty was easily saved by Casillas and, in injury time, Higuaín fired in from the edge of the box for his 18th league goal of the season. Barcelona will restore their six-point lead if they overcome third-placed Sevilla at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Fernando Llorente’s 48th-minute goal proved decisive as Athletic Club Bilbao won 2-1 at bottom side Numancia.