MADRID: Real Madrid ended a turbulent week off the pitch on a high when Karim Benzema struck twice and Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale scored a goal apiece in a 4-1 victory over Getafe in La Liga yesterday.
Real’s dominant win at the Bernabeu lifted them above Atletico Madrid into second for a couple of hours but Atletico responded with a 2-0 success at Granada thanks to goals from Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann.
Atletico are second behind leaders Barcelona with Real a further two points adrift in third.
Real were expelled from the King’s Cup on Friday after fielding an ineligible player in Wednesday’s last 32, first leg at third-tier Cadiz, the latest setback in a difficult few weeks for the world’s richest club by income.
Hammered 4-0 at home by bitter rivals Barca last month, Real needed a strong performance against city neighbours Getafe to relieve the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez.
Chants
Benitez, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, was roundly whistled when his name was read out with the team lists before kickoff and there were more chants during the game calling for president Florentino Perez to step down.
France forward Benzema, whose legal problems have been another of Real’s off-field distractions, opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he volleyed in Pepe’s cross.
Benzema, who is under investigation over his alleged involvement in an attempt to blackmail France team mate Mathieu Valbuena with a sex video, added a second in the 16th minute with a low shot into the corner.
Bale made it 3-0 in the 35th after being set up by Ronaldo, who put Real out of sight against a woeful Getafe when he finished off a swift break three minutes later.