Result: Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick downs Getafe

A second-half hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 4-0 over Getafe in La Liga this afternoon.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring in the match against Getafe on January 27, 2013

Coach Jose Mourinho made a host of changes to his starting lineup for the clash, but the team did not gel well in the opening 45 minutes, dominating possession but failing to threaten in front of the visitors' goal.

Getafe created few chances in the opening period, the best falling to Diego Castro, who was unable to get the better of Antonio Adan in the Real goal.

The Spanish champions looked sharper after the break, upping the tempo from the first half and continuing to maintain the majority of the possession.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Sergio Ramos bundled the ball over the line from close range, just after a Mesut Ozil strike was saved.

Sergio Ramos slides on the floor as he celebrates scoring the opening goal against Getafe on January 27, 2013

The goal lifted the hosts and they doubled their advantage eight minutes later, as Ozil crosses the ball to Ronaldo, who fired it in for what would be the first of three goals in 10 minutes for the Portuguese forward.

Ronaldo added his second three minutes later with a close-range header and completed his hat-trick with a penalty after Luka Modric was brought down inside the box.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with team mates after scoring in the match against Getafe on January 27, 2013

Getafe had a strong spell towards the end of the game, but they were unable to test Adan and Real soon reclaimed possession.

The win moves Real Madrid to within four points of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while Getafe remain 11th in the La Liga table.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Barcelona367094
2Real Madrid365981
3Atletico Madrid363272
4Real Sociedad362062
5Valencia361362
6Malaga36454
7Real Betis36-352
8Rayo Vallecano36-1749
9Sevilla36447
10Getafe36-1147
11Espanyol36-644
12Athletic Bilbao36-2044
13Real Valladolid36-543
14Levante36-1842
15Granada36-1839
16Osasuna36-1636
17Deportivo La Coruna36-2035
18Real Zaragoza36-1934
19Mallorca36-3132
20Celta Vigo36-1831