Getafe: Codina; Alexis, Naldo, Velázquez, Roberto Lago; Juan Rodríguez, Diego Castro; Pedro León (Yoda 74’), Sammir (Alex Felip 83’), Sarabia (Hinestroza 56’); Alvaro Vázquez. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Nacho 82‘); Isco (Khedira 78’), Kroos (Illarramendi 82‘), James; Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo. 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 63. Ronaldo. Fired shot wide of Codina after Benzema laid ball back.
0-2. 67. Bale. Got on the end of James cross to turn shot back past keeper.
0-3. 79. Ronaldo. Steered header past keeper from long cross by James.
Yellow cards: Velázquez 31’, Kroos 34’, James 61’, Roberto Lago 64’.
Leaders Real Madrid kicked off the Sunday games with a 0-3 win at neighbours Getafe in the mid-day kick-off, a result which clinched them the honourary title of “winter champions” at the half-way stage of the season, still with a game in hand. Ancelotti’s side were hungry for the victory after being knocked out of the cup midweek by city rivals Atlético, and they totally dominated the first half, Codina having to keep out Benzema, Bale and Isco, and Kroos driving a long shot against the crossbar. After the restart Benzema and James came up against Codina again, but with just over an hour gone the local keeper was finally beaten, Ronaldo turning the ball into the net following a good run by Benzema down the by-line. Some four minutes later Bale got on the end of a long James cross to make it two, and a few minutes later Ronaldo headed the third from another James centre, his 28 th of the season in the league. Alvaro Vázquez did hit the post as the visitors took their feet off the gas near the end, but it was resounding defeat for Quique’s side, and they end the weekend just a point above the drop zone.