Raphael Varane was Real Madrid's unlikely hero as he scored twice in a 2-1 comeback win over LaLiga basement boys Huesca. (More Football News)
Under-fire head coach Zinedine Zidane looked to rally his players with a defiant media briefing on Friday but they were often lacklustre El Alcoraz, with Javi Galan brilliantly giving Huesca the lead in the midst of a five-minute spell after half-time where they hit the crossbar twice.
Karim Benzema waged an at-times lone battle to get Madrid back into the match and countryman Varane converted the rebound when his 55th-minute free-kick spun up off the crossbar.
Alvaro Fernandez made a string of magnificent saves to frustrate the tireless Benzema, but Varane was on hand six minutes from time to close the gap at the top of the table to seven points - although Atletico Madrid have two games in hand.
Fresh from a hat-trick against Valladolid, Rafa Mir crossed for strike partner Shinji Okazaki to shoot just wide in the second minute before firing into the side netting himself.
Benzema's 20-yard drive skipped off the wet surface and drew a fine save from Fernandez - a chance created by a majestic 35th-minute Luka Modric backheel.
Huesca began the second half as they did the first and Mikel Rico clipped a fabulous half-volley from Pablo Maffeo's cross against the top of the bar.
Madrid did not heed the warning, with Okazaki opening them up down the right flank and crossing for Galan to emphatically lash a bouncing ball into the top corner.
An alarming amount of room remained for Huesca's sweeping attacks and Mir was the latest player to test the crossbar as he stretched to volley Jaime Seoane's raking pass.
Gaston Silva hacked down Marco Asensio and Benzema's resulting free-kick led to the equaliser.
The game was starting to look like a duel between two relentless centre-forwards - Thibaut Courtois keeping out a Mir header before Fernandez thwarted Benzema with his boot.
Fernandez knew little when Benzema clattered the ball painfully into his chest from close range, although an acrobatic dive to keep out a left-footed volley from the Frenchman was goalkeeping of the highest order.
Casemiro was similarly unable to head Toni Kroos' cross past Fernandez, but Varane was on hand to pick up the pieces and the points.
