Zinedine Zidane failed to win for the first time since taking over as Real Madrid coach after his team were held to a shock draw at Real Betis.
Struggling Betis scored their first goal in eight matches when Alvaro Cejudo volleyed in a stunning opener.
Madrid dominated from that point and should have won a penalty after Karim Benzema was tripped before half-time.
But they took a point - leaving them four adrift of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid - thanks to Benzema's tap-in.
Re-live how Betis managed to hang on to frustrate Madrid
Honeymoon period over for Zidane?
Bernabeu legend Zidane enjoyed a dream start as Madrid boss after replacing Rafael Benitez, winning both of his opening home matches against Sporting Gijon and Deportivo La Coruna at a canter.
And the Frenchman's first away match was not anticipated to be too taxing.
Betis had not won in 10 league matches - and, remarkably, had not even managed to score a single goal in their previous seven games.
Zidane was promoted from Madrid's reserve side following Benitez's exit
But they ended that drought in spectacular fashion through Cejudo's thunderous strike from 18 yards.
Madrid's response was surprisingly slow for a free-scoring side that had netted a league-high 58 goals in their previous 20 matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Pepe wasted a number of clear-cut opportunities, while the visitors were also frustrated by a string of superb saves by Betis keeper Antonio Adan.
Betis' resistance was ended when Rodriguez, who appeared to be offside, collected a throughball before squaring to France striker Benzema.
Barca's title to throw away?
Defending champions Barcelona will have enjoyed their day off on Sunday - watching both of their title rivals drop vital points.
The Catalan side moved to the La Liga summit after a 2-1 win at Malaga on Saturday, with Atletico unable to regain top spot when they were held at home to Sevilla.
Barca also have the luxury of a game in hand on the Madrid teams.
But Real will be hoping that Barca and Atletico can take points off each other when they meet at the Nou Camp next Saturday. Zidane's side play on Sunday, hosting mid-table Espanyol at the Bernabeu.
What Zidane said
"We will follow our working plan and we're on the right track," said the 43-year-old former France midfielder.
"You have to focus on the positive. We dropped two points and that is the negative part but we have to think that we can get over this and that you have to fight for the league until the end."
Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (5)
Real Betis
- 13 Adán
- 02 Molinero Booked
- 20 Pezzella
- 04 González Cabrera
- 11 Vargas Booked
- 18 N'Diaye
- 25 dos Santos Araujo Booked
- 05 Kadir (Joaquín - 58' )
- 52 Ruiz Peña (Ceballos Fernández - 51' )
- 16 Cejudo (Portillo - 76' )
- 24 Castro
Substitutes
- 01 Giménez
- 07 Joaquín
- 10 Ceballos Fernández
- 15 Digard
- 19 Molina
- 22 Portillo
- 33 Varela Martín
Real Madrid
- 01 Navas
- 23 Danilo Booked (Carvajal - 64' Booked )
- 03 Pepe
- 02 Varane
- 12 Marcelo
- 19 Modric
- 08 Kroos
- 22 Isco
- 10 Rodríguez (Jesé - 80' )
- 09 Benzema
- 07 Ronaldo
Substitutes
- 06 Nacho
- 13 Casilla
- 14 Casemiro
- 15 Carvajal
- 16 Kovacic
- 18 Vázquez
- 20 Jesé
Match Stats
Live Text Commentary
Full Time Match ends, Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 1.
90:00 +4:05 Full timeFull Time Second Half ends, Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 1.
90:00 +3:50Foul by Isco (Real Madrid).
90:00 +3:50Germán Pezzella (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:57Marcelo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:57Foul by Dani Ceballos (Real Betis).
90:00 +1:48 BookingBooking Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card.
90:00 +0:27Attempt missed. Rubén Castro (Real Betis) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Germán Pezzella.
88:13Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:13Foul by Dani Ceballos (Real Betis).
87:13Offside, Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo tries a through ball, but Isco is caught offside.
86:33Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Bruno.
86:31Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jesé with a cross.
84:59Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Isco.
84:15Foul by Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid).
84:15Francisco Portillo (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79:02 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Real Madrid. Jesé replaces James Rodríguez.
78:22Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
77:54Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Antonio Adán.
77:51Attempt saved. James Rodríguez (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daniel Carvajal.
Substitution Substitution, Real Betis. Francisco Portillo replaces Álvaro Cejudo because of an injury.
74:36Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
74:36Foul by Álvaro Cejudo (Real Betis).
71:54Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Bruno.
70:26 Goal scoredGoal! Goal! Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Rodríguez.
69:18Attempt missed. Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcelo.
68:19 BookingBooking Francisco Molinero (Real Betis) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
68:13Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
68:13Foul by Francisco Molinero (Real Betis).
67:03Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
67:03Foul by Francisco Molinero (Real Betis).
66:05Foul by Marcelo (Real Madrid).
66:05Joaquín (Real Betis) wins a free kick on the right wing.
63:38 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Real Madrid. Daniel Carvajal replaces Danilo.
63:28 BookingBooking Danilo (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
63:22Foul by Danilo (Real Madrid).
63:22Dani Ceballos (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
61:59Foul by James Rodríguez (Real Madrid).
61:59Álvaro Cejudo (Real Betis) wins a free kick on the left wing.
61:19Offside, Real Madrid. James Rodríguez tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
60:05 BookingBooking Petros (Real Betis) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
59:58Isco (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
59:58Foul by Petros (Real Betis).
57:48 BookingBooking Juan Vargas (Real Betis) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
57:40Luka Modric (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
57:40Foul by Juan Vargas (Real Betis).
57:10 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Real Betis. Joaquín replaces Foued Kadir.
56:50Delay over. They are ready to continue.
56:10Delay in match Foued Kadir (Real Betis) because of an injury.
54:11Attempt saved. James Rodríguez (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Toni Kroos with a cross.
53:47Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Juan Vargas.
53:09Pepe (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
53:09Foul by Rubén Castro (Real Betis).
52:44Foul by Danilo (Real Madrid).
52:44Dani Ceballos (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
51:00 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Real Betis. Dani Ceballos replaces Fabián because of an injury.
50:59Delay over. They are ready to continue.
50:30Delay in match Fabián (Real Betis) because of an injury.
49:25Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is too high.
49:23Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luka Modric.
49:21Attempt missed. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Rodríguez.
48:23Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Petros.
48:21Attempt blocked. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Isco.
46:42Foul by Pepe (Real Madrid).
46:42Rubén Castro (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46:38Attempt blocked. James Rodríguez (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luka Modric.
45:48Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Alfred N'Diaye.
45:00Second Half begins Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 0.
45:00 +0:34 Half timeHalf Time First Half ends, Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 0.
45:00 +0:32Attempt missed. Bruno (Real Betis) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Álvaro Cejudo with a cross following a set piece situation.
44:41Foul by Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).
44:41Rubén Castro (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
42:52Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42:52Foul by Francisco Molinero (Real Betis).
40:31Offside, Real Madrid. Marcelo tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
38:20Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38:20Foul by Petros (Real Betis).
37:35Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:35Foul by Fabián (Real Betis).
36:39Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:39Foul by Petros (Real Betis).
35:32Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Rodríguez.
34:16Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Foued Kadir.
33:03Attempt missed. Pepe (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Rodríguez with a cross following a corner.
32:38Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Bruno.
31:40Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Karim Benzema.
25:48Attempt blocked. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
24:59Foul by Isco (Real Madrid).
24:59Petros (Real Betis) wins a free kick on the right wing.
23:59Foul by Danilo (Real Madrid).
23:59Álvaro Cejudo (Real Betis) wins a free kick on the left wing.
23:03Hand ball by Rubén Castro (Real Betis).
21:29Attempt saved. Isco (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Danilo with a cross.
20:02Foul by Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).
20:02Petros (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
16:45Attempt saved. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Rodríguez.
15:16Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Bruno.
14:48Luka Modric (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
14:48Foul by Petros (Real Betis).
14:04Offside, Real Madrid. Luka Modric tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
13:42Danilo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
13:42Foul by Fabián (Real Betis).
12:50Petros (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12:50Foul by Toni Kroos (Real Madrid).
8:10Foul by Francisco Molinero (Real Betis).
8:10Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
7:46Foul by Francisco Molinero (Real Betis).
7:46Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
6:22 Goal scoredGoal! Goal! Real Betis 1, Real Madrid 0. Álvaro Cejudo (Real Betis) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Fabián.
6:15Attempt saved. Rubén Castro (Real Betis) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fabián.
3:23Corner, Real Betis. Conceded by Danilo.
1:58Foul by Luka Modric (Real Madrid).
1:58Alfred N'Diaye (Real Betis) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
0:00First Half begins.
0:00Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
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