First point to Real Madrid

The in-form Ronaldo (L) of Real Madrid celebrates with Pepe after scoring Real’s second goal [GALLO/GETTY]

Real Madrid seized an early advantage in the Spanish Primera Division on Saturday by beating Getafe 4-2 on Saturday after Barcelona squandered an early lead to draw 2-2 at Real Sociedad.

After Madrid and Barcelona outscored their opponents 11-0 in week one, many in Spain worried the gap between the two powerhouses would be greater than ever this season.

But Getafe did not shrink against their bigger crosstown rivals, and Sociedad knew how to take advantage of Barcelona’s defensive mistakes to snatch an unexpected result.

Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Getafe’s Nicolas “Miku” Fedor scored in an evenly matched first half at Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s spot kick and Benzema’s second goal threatened to spark a Madrid rout after the break, but Miku scored again to keep the game in doubt until Gonzalo Higuain sealed Madrid’s victory late.

With Tuesday’s Champions League opener at home to AC Milan in mind, Pep Guardiola left Lionel Messi, David Villa and Andres Iniesta on the bench and at first it seemed they were not missed.

Fabregas dinked a ball over the top and Alexis squared for Xavi to score in the 10th minute, and the former Arsenal player then set up Pedro two minutes later, putting away the rebound when the latter’s shot was blocked.

Barca lost new signing Alexis Sanchez to a thigh injury, which could keep the Chilean sidelined for up to eight weeks, and the game ran away from them in the 60th minute.

Imanol Agirretxe rose to head one back for the home side and almost immediately the same striker intercepted a poor backpass from Villa and fired against the bar.

Antoine Griezmann followed up to head the equaliser into the open net, however, and Barca were lucky not to lose Sergio Busquets who had tipped Agirretxe’s original shot on to the woodwork with his hand.

Guardiola threw Messi and Iniesta into the fray and it was a despairing last-minute defensive header from Dani Alves that almost earned the hosts a shock winner.

“Two defensive lapses, two errors that cost us dearly,” Xavi said.

“That’s football. The game was under control and we could have even sealed the win with a third goal.”

Alexis Ruano headed a late equaliser for Sevilla as they drew 2-2 at 10-man Villarreal.

Villarreal had goalkeeper Diego Lopez sent off after 22 minutes and Alvaro Negredo missed the penalty but scored on the rebound to put the visitors ahead.

Giuseppe Rossi levelled with a penalty at the other end and Marco Ruben fired Villarreal ahead in the 73rd before Alexis grabbed the equaliser.