Getafe 0 – Real Madrid 3 match report: Los Blancos cruise past Getafe

Real Madrid regained confidence after the Copa del Rey blow against Atletico Madrid thanks to a solid performance at Getafe.

Second half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale made the difference and ruined the hosts’ admirable defensive effort.

Getafe fought hard from the start, defending the Atletico way with their lines tightly close and exerting a high pressure on Toni Kroos, who had a poor performance and showed worrying fatigue signs.

James Rodriguez had the first chance at the 30-minute mark after receiving a pass from Karim Benzema. However, the Colombian’s shot was blocked by Roberto Lago.

The French striker played a brilliant game and was close to scoring a couple of minutes later when James assisted him. Yet, goalkeeper Codina made a great save to deny Benzema’s powerful strike.

Kroos had the best chance of the first half as he caught a loose ball and lashed a superb left-foot volley to the top corner hitting the crossbar.

Getafe focussed on defending and didn’t even shoot on target during the first half. That strategy worked for more than an hour, until Benzema made a fantastic play dribbling past three defenders inside the box and assisting Ronaldo, who easily converted from close range.

Los Blancos had their second a few minutes later in a counter attack. James curled a precise cross into the box and Bale cleverly beat Codina with a strike into the bottom corner.

Ronaldo sealed the victory with ten minutes to go thanks to another superb cross from James. The Portuguese headed home and scored his 28th goal in La Liga.