Real Madrid has snatched the lead of the Spanish league from Barcelona after a 1-0 win at Valladolid on Sunday.
Valladolid’s defense scrambled to clear a constant barrage of crosses into its box by the visitors until Toni Kroos finally connected with goalscorer Nacho Fernández in the 78th minute.
Nacho jumped over his marker and sliced a perfect header just inside the far post and well beyond the reach of Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip.
Zinedine Zidane’s side moved three points ahead of Barcelona a day after the defending champions lost 2-0 at Valencia.
Nacho, a central defender, started at right back in the place of the suspended Dani Carvajal. He had only made six previous appearances this season.
Getafe moved past Atlético Madrid and into fourth place - the final Champions League spot - after edging Real Betis 1-0 at home with a late penalty.
Substitute Ángel Rodríguez converted the spot kick in the 89th after Betis' Álex Moreno had handled the ball in the area.
Atlético was held to a 0-0 draw at home by relegation-threatened Leganés, extending its winless streak to four matches across all competitions.
More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports