Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (R) celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Betis Balompie vs Real Madrid CF at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Sevilla on January 24, 2016. (AFP)
Real Madrid dropped its first points under coach Zinedine Zidane in a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid failed to regain the Spanish league lead from Barcelona after finishing goalless against 10-man Sevilla.
Madrid could only muster a second-half goal by Karim Benzema to cancel out Alvaro Cejudo's stunner, leaving it in third-place - four points behind the pace-setting pair.
Zidane had overseen two lopsided home wins, but Madrid's slip in Seville showed he hasn't cured its away ills.
Atletico's stumble left Barcelona ahead of Atletico on goal difference thanks to Saturday's 2-1 win at Malaga. The title-holders will also have a game in hand after they host Atletico next weekend in a highly anticipated meeting between the last two league champions.
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