Real Madrid failed to move top of LALIGA following a 2-1 defeat away to Real Betis on Saturday night.
Kylian Mbappe was back in the Los Blancos starting line-up after missing the midweek Copa del Rey action, while Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham were still unavailable.
Madrid only need ten minutes to get the breakthrough as Ferland Mendy raced onto a pass from Mbappe before placing the ball on a plate for Brahim Diaz, who made no mistake from close range.
The home side, meanwhile, were affected by the early goal and managed to carve out a couple chances of their own, with Ricardo Rodriguez and Marc Batra going close in the midway period.
Betis did manage to restore parity in the 35th minute when Isco's corner found Johnny Cardoso, who lost Rudiger in the box before heading home from close range.
The hosts carried that momentum into the second period and won themselves a penalty after Rudiger has fouled Jesus Rodríguez in the box. Isco stepped and calmly dispatched the penalty against his former side.
Antony was seeing a bit of the ball in the second period and he nearly carved out a third goal for Betis when did well to pick out Cucho Hernandez, who sent his effort wide of the target with only Courtois to beat.
Betis defended with every player behind the ball and thwarted Los Blancos at every attempt to secure maximum points, while Carlo Ancelotti's charges were unable to overtake Barcelona.