Real Madrid beat Cadiz, Betis slip in Valencia, Rayo and Celta draw blank

MADRID - Real Madrid went into the break for the FIFA World Cup two points behind FC Barcelona after a 2-1 home win over Cadiz on Thursday night.

Once again without Karim Benzema, Madrid made hard work of a side that goes into the break in the relegation zone, but took all three points thanks to Eder Militao's 39th-minute goal after a Toni Kroos free-kick.

Kroos scored Madrid's second goal after 69 minutes when he fired home a loose ball from the edge of the Cadiz penalty area.

The home side had to suffer a nervous end to the game after Lucas Perez scored from a rebound in the 82nd minute.

Pacha Espino was inches away from an equalizer in the 92nd minute, but his shot went inches over the Madrid crossbar.

Real Betis dropped out of the top four after slipping to a 2-0 loss to Valencia. Betis travelled without the suspended Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias and were under pressure in the first half.

Betis' Edgar was shown a second yellow card for a foul on the hour mark and Andre Almeida buried the resulting free kick to make it 1-0.

Hugo Guillamon then converted a penalty 10 minutes from time to secure the win for the home side.

Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo kicked off the day with a 0-0 draw in a game where both coaches made changes, with striker Iago Aspas a surprise substitute for Celta.

Defenses were on top for most of the match, although both sides had chances in the second half with Aspas missing for Celta and Camello's effort well-saved by Celta keeper Agustin Marchesin.