Madrid: Keylor Navas; Lucas Vázquez, Pepe (Arbeloa 87‘), Nacho, Danilo; James, Kroos, Modric (Kovacic 62’); Bale, Benzema (Jesé 78‘), Ronaldo. 4-3-3.
Getafe: Guaita; Damián Suárez, Cala, Alexis, Roberto Lago; Lacen; Sarabia, Wanderson (Pedro León 62’), Víctor Rodríguez (Bernard Mensah 80‘), Lafita; Alvaro Vázquez (Scepovic 46‘). 4-1-4-1.
Goals:
1-0. 04. Benzema. Got on the end of Pepe cross to sweep shot wide of keeper.
2-0. 16. Benzema. Turned shot past Guaita after Bale headed back James centre.
3-0. 35. Bale. Picked up Ronaldo headed pass and struck angled shot inside post.
4-0. 38. Ronaldo. Ran on to Kroos pass and steered angled shot across Guaita.
4-1. 70. Alexis. Near post header across Keylor Navas from Pedro León corner.
Yellow cards: Danilo 37’.
Real Madrid remain two points behind Atlético Madrid and four below leaders Barcelona after they beat city neighbours Getafe 4-1 in the first game on Saturday, a relief for Rafa Benítez after all the recent goings on. There were whistles from the local fans before kick-off following the midweek debacle in the cup, but they soon turned to cheers when Benzema swept in Pepe’s cross with only four minutes gone. The French striker saw another header saved by Guaita before he headed the second after Bale headed on a James cross, and in the ten minutes leading up to the break Bale and Ronaldo added two more following assists by Ronaldo and Kroos, the first time in six months that the “BBC” forward line all scored. After that they slowed things down, and Alexis headed a consolation for the visitors with twenty minutes to go. Just the result that Madrid needed though, and they are back in the title race once again.