Real Madrid returned to the top of LaLiga standings with a 1-0 victory over Getafe on Saturday evening.
Madrid made three changes from their win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League as Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga were recalled while Karim Benzema was rested.
Los Blancos had the perfect start after Eder Militao gave them the lead inside three minutes with a header at the near post after a corner by Modric.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges struggled to find their rhythm and almost conceded an equaliser from a counter-attack on 22 minutes after Fabrizio Angileri flashed a strike just wide across the face of goal.
However, the visitors got going again towards the end of the first stanza as Rodrygo forced a save out of goalkeeper David Soria with a goal-bound header after a cross by Federico Valverde.
Getafe were fortunate not to get penalized on the stroke of half-time after the referee pointed to the spot after Luis Milla caught Vinicius Junior in the box but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) spotted that the ball went slightly out of play before the Brazilian charged his way into the box.
The game opened up early in the second stanza with chances at both ends but Madrid thought they were 2-0 up shortly before the hour-mark after Rodrygo lobbed a strike over Soria from a through ball by Valverde but the goal was chalked off by the VAR for offside.
The game remained on the edge as both sides looked for decisive goals but Madrid were in control of the contest, as Getafe stayed compact at the back.
Ancelotti, meanwhile, resisted making substitutions until the last six minutes as Marco Asensio replaced Camavinga and Nacho came on for Militao both for fresh legs.
Los Blancos absorbed the pressure in the dying minutes and were more threatening on counter-attacks, as the managed to hold on to the win and returned to the top of the log.
Madrid went three points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who will be in action on Sunday.
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