A late free kick from Dani Ceballos secured a first league win in 2019 for Real Madrid away to Real Betis.
Los Blancos were made to hang on at times after former player Sergio Canales cancelled out Luka Modric's early opener after 67 minutes.
But former Betis midfielder Ceballos stepped up to fire a free-kick home with just two minutes of the match remaining.
Real remain 10 point adrift of La Liga leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.
Santiago Solari named a back three with 18-year-old Vinicius starting up front despite missing training this week.
2018 Ballon d'Or winner Modric gave his side the lead after 13 minutes, sweeping a superb effort into the top corner after pouncing on Dani Carvajal's blocked effort.
The visitors were dealt a blow when Karim Benzema suffered a dislocated finger just before half-time, bringing an early end to his evening.
21-year-old forward Cristo was brought onto replace him but Real lacked the intensity they showed in the first-half as the game wore on with Betis claiming a deserved equaliser.
Canales' cool finish was reviewed by VAR but with Carvajal appearing to keep the forward onside the goal stood.
Brahim Diaz, signed from Manchester City at the start of the week, was brought on for his La Liga debut as Solari's side chased a late winner.
Casemiro won a free kick for his side with a brave run late on with Ceballos, booed by the home support throughout the evening, finding a way through a poor Betis wall to secure all three points.
