Getafe beat Spanish leaders Betis

Despite the loss Real Betis remain top of the standings for another week [AFP]

Getafe beat Spanish league leaders Real Betis 1-0 on Monday after Diego Castro’s first-half goal secured the club’s first win of the season.

Betis had won all four of their previous games, and their first loss left them one win short of matching the best start in club history.

But Getafe outplayed the visitors at Alfonso Perez stadium throughout, and Castro capped a counterattack in the 31st with his team’s first goal in three games, which proved enough for the much-needed victory.

“Diego Castro is a player that has it in him to do great things,” Getafe coach Luis Garcia said.

“He is very talented and gives us a lot of options. I congratulate my players for handling the pressure they were under.”

Betis remain in first place with 12 points, one more than defending champions Barcelona, Levante and Sevilla.

Real Madrid, Malaga and Valencia are next with 10.

Over the weekend, Lionel Messi scored a hat trick to lead Barcelona to a 5-0 win over Atletico Madrid, while Cristiano Ronaldo also scored three as 10-man Madrid downed Rayo Vallecano 6-2.