Barcelona and Atlético's perfect starts end

Real Madrid CF closed the gap at the top of the Liga with a victory against Málaga CF before FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid's perfect starts came to an end.

Carlo Ancelotti's charges were frustrated in the first half against Málaga but Ángel Di María needed just one minute of the second period to open the scoring. The points were then secured by Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty. Indeed, that was just the start of what proved to be a good day for the Merengues.

Barcelona failed to make it nine wins out of nine as they were held to a goalless draw by lowly CA Osasuna, the first Liga game in which they had failed to score since January 2012. Atlético then had the chance to claim top spot but they too finally failed to win after a freak 54th-minute Thibaut Courtois own goal left them beaten 1-0 at RCD Espanyol and a point behind Barcelona and two in front of Madrid.

In the day's other game UEFA Champions League contenders Real Sociedad de Fútbol scored in each half to get the better of Valencia CF and climb up to ninth in the table.