Madrid win, Barca draw

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

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

Barcelona were up 2-0 after just 12 minutes as Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas struck early for the defending champions, which dominated the first half. But with Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta rested for Tuesday's Champions League game against AC Milan, Imanol Agirretxe and Antoine Griezmann equalised for Sociedad with two goals in as many minutes in the second half.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sent on Messi and Iniesta in search for the winner, but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo smothered Messi's best chance inside the area with 15 minutes to play.

Madrid took full advantage, with Karim Benzema scoring twice against Getafe.

The France striker gave Madrid the lead in the 14th, before Getafe's Nicolas 'Miku' Fedor equalised in an evenly matched first half at Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty and Benzema's second goal then 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. Madrid lead the Spanish league standings with six points - two more than Barcelona.