Karim Benzema ensured Real Madrid kept the pressure on leader Barcelona in La Liga by scoring one goal and assisting on two more as Los Blancos defeated Getafe 1-5.
The Frenchman scored his 22nd goal of the competition before setting up Isco and Gareth Bale to seal the victory early in the second half.
James Rodriguez, who got a chance to play from the start, made it 4-1. Minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo closed Los Merengues’ seventh consecutive league victory with his 31st goal in the competition.
The Portugal international had struck the post early, and waves of attacks inevitably led to Benzema’s breakthrough when he used his right foot to sweep in Rodriguez’s cross.
Benzema worked a one-two passing combination to help Isco make it 2-0 before halftime, and his pass let Bale romp forward before beating goalkeeper Vicente Guaita in the 50th.
Pablo Sarabia got Getafe’s consolation goal with six minutes left before Rodriguez and Ronaldo struck.
Madrid provisionally passed Atletico Madrid into second place and moved to within one point of struggling leader Barcelona.
