Real Madrid travelled to near-neighbours Getafe on Sunday looking to move four points clear at the top of La Liga.
The visitors had the better of the first period, but neither side could make the breakthrough.
Real Madrid eventually opened the scoring just past the hour when Cristiano Ronaldo converted from close range, before Gareth Bale added a second minutes later.
Ronaldo was not finished, however, as the Portuguese netted his second 10 minutes from time to add gloss to the scoreline.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome the leaders Real Madrid. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures ahead of the match, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Alfonso Perez.
TEAMS
GETAFE: Codina; Valera, Naldo, Velazquez, Lago; Leon, Rodriguez, Alexis, Hinestroza; Sammir, Vazquez
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; James, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Getafe boss Quique Flores keeps with the same XI that lost narrowly at Eibar last time out. As a result, Pedro Leon and Fredy Hinestroza will offer support in wide areas to the front two of Alvaro Vasquez and Sammir. On-loan Atletico Madrid centre-back Emiliano Valazquez also retains his place.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, has made two changes to the side that exited the Copa del Rey during the week. One is enforced, with Raphael Varane replacing the injured Pepe, while Iker Casillas returns between the sticks in place of Keylor Navas. It is again the 'BBC' in attack.
Getafe have lost 10 of their last 11 league meetings with Real Madrid, but their single win during that run did come in this stadium – a 2-1 success in August 2012. Last season, however, Real Madrid were 3-0 winners in this stadium, while they also beat Getafe 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the campaign.
Getafe booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey during the week, but they lost 2-1 at Eibar last time out in the league. That result left the capital outfit 15th in the table, while they are now just one point outside of the bottom three. It has been a struggle thus far this season truth be told.
Quite incredibly, Getafe have scored just five times in their nine home league games this season, while they have only netted 14 times overall. Their form has not been too bad on the road with two wins and two draws, but they have only kept two clean sheets in 20 league meetings with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid might be top of La Liga with a game in hand over both Barcelona and Atletico, but Los Blancos were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico on Thursday after a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their last-16 clash at the Bernabeu. Their focus is now on the league and Champions League, however, and Carlo Ancelotti will certainly be expecting to make an assault on both competitions.
That said, since returning from the winter break, which they entered on the back of a 22-match winning run, Real Madrid have won just one of their four games. That came last time out against Espanyol in the league, however, and victory here would move the capital side four points clear at the summit.
PREDICTION! In truth, I would be absolutely astounded if Getafe took anything from this match. Real Madrid are not exactly in their best form of the season - far from it - but it is difficult to back against them returning to winning ways in the capital. My score prediction is 3-0 Real Madrid.
It is snowing in Madrid!
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. You just get the feeling that Getafe need to start well here. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway.
It will not come as much of a surprise that there is no real atmosphere inside the stadium here, even with Real Madrid in town. It is a bitterly-cold afternoon in the Spanish capital! Coats on!
ALTERATION TO XI: Getafe have made two late changes to their team sheet, with Diego Castro and Pablo Sarabia starting in place of Hinestroza and Valera. Spanish teams and their changes!
It has been a decent start from the home side, with Sammir and Vasquez combining in the final third, but Kroos is across to make the challenge and win the free kick. Not too much from Real Madrid in the opening five minutes, but Benzema has come close to collecting a couple of long balls.
Getafe only average around 7,000 at every home game and the stadium is far from full here.
It has been an untidy start from Real Madrid, with a couple of passes going astray in the final third. You just get the feeling that Getafe need to score first here if they are to take something from the game.
Isco comes close to feeding a low pass into Ronaldo, but Naldo is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The home side attempt to break down the other end with Sammir, but James brings the striker to the ground. Still no chances of any sort in the opening 10 minutes in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for the away side as Benzema finds some space inside the Getafe box before firing one towards goal, but Alexis is on hand to make the block. Getafe again threaten to launch a counter, but the final pass from Castro is just short. Better tempo in the last couple of minutes.
CLOSE! Marcelo combines with Benzema outside the box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort just misses the post. First real sight of goal for either team here.
Vasquez has been dangerous for Getafe in the opening 14 minutes and the Spaniard is just on the wrong end of an offside call after collecting a pass from Lago. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later, but the attack breaks down when Benzema tries a fairly extravagant flick.
CLOSE! James delivers a super cross towards the back post, which evades three Getafe defenders, but Alexis just manages to turn behind for a corner. The resulting set piece eventually falls to Ronaldo, but his header is straight into the arms of Codina. Much better from the visitors.
Real Madrid continue to look the more threatening, but Getafe are enjoying possession in the final third, with Vasquez threatening to run behind Ramos every time Sammir picks up the ball.
Really untidy from both teams in the last few minutes, with Real Madrid conceding possession far too easily in the final third. Getafe will be encouraged by their opening 21 minutes to this match.
Not too much from Bale in the opening 23 minutes, but the Welshman has seen some of the ball in the last few moments. Another cross is wasted, however, and Getafe can push down the other end. It has not been a brilliant start to this match truth be told, with chances very much at a premium.
Well, this is not very good at all at the moment. Very lacklustre indeed from the league leaders.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, but there have been no bookings thus far. Ronaldo tries his luck from outside the box, but Naldo is on hand to make the block. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock here.
Getafe have lined up with a 4-4-2 formation this afternoon and their two strikers are causing Real Madrid problems. A dangerous free kick from Leon unnerves the away side, but Ramos manages to clear. Real Madrid continue to break with pace, but the final ball has been really poor thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Benzema dribbles into the Getafe box before setting up Isco, but his effort is blocked by Velazquez. Super defending.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Real Madrid as Bale slides in Benzema, but the Frenchman's effort is saved by Codina. Much, much better from the away side in the last couple.
BOOKING! Velazquez (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on James.
Ronaldo strikes the resulting set piece straight into the middle of the wall.
Bale tries his luck for the away side moments later, but once again Codina is on hand to make the save. Can Getafe hold out until the interval? Real Madrid seem to be warming to their task now.
BOOKING! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling Sammir during a counter.
Getafe boss Flores will be delighted with how the opening 37 minutes have unfolded here. Sure, Real Madrid have had the better chances, but the home side have been comfortable for long spells.
CHANCE! Wonderful, wonderful goalkeeping from Codina as the Getafe stopper tips a dipping Isco effort over the crossbar. Finally a bit of quality in the final third from the visitors.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Sammir leads a Getafe counter before curling one from just outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Getafe are carrying a threat.
Real Madrid are really knocking on the door at the moment...
CHANCE! Getafe's best chance of the match falls to Sammir following excellent work from Leon, but the striker can only fire high and wide of the crossbar. He just had to work Casillas.
CROSSBAR! Oh my word what a strike! Kroos picks up a loose ball just outside the Getafe box following good work from Bale, but the German's effort rattles against the crossbar. Wow!
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-0 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. Real Madrid have dominated the possession and created the better chances, but it has been a frustrating afternoon thus far. Getafe are half-way there to recording a shock result in the Spanish capital.
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had 14 attempts - four of which have been on target. Getafe, meanwhile, have had two attempts, but neither was on target. There have also been two bookings following a couple of late challenges.
BENCH WATCH! The home side do not have too much on their bench in the way of attacking options, but both Hinestroza and Karim Yoda are available. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Javier Hernandez, Jese Rodriguez and Sami Khedira in reserve. Plenty of talent there.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Real Madrid make the breakthrough? It is the away side that get the second half underway in the capital.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage of events. However, I suspect that alterations will occur over the next 20 minutes or so.
Decent start to the second period from the visitors as James delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Ronaldo could not make contact. The Portuguese was, however, in an offside position. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be just vital in this match.
The pressure is all coming from Real Madrid as Marcelo delivers another dangerous cross towards the near post, but Naldo is on hand to make the block. The home side cannot keep the ball for long, however, as Real Madrid threaten once more. This could be a long second half for Getafe.
Ronaldo has 13 goals in eight games against Getafe. Real Madrid need their main man here.
Another half-chance for the away side as Ronaldo delivers a dangerous cross towards Isco, but Velazquez just manages to clear ahead of the Spaniard. Excellent defending from the centre-back.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Isco slides a low pass into Benzema, who strikes towards the bottom corner, but Codina makes another excellent save.
You just get the feeling that Getafe will need to score if they are to take something from this match. Real Madrid are really knocking on the door and there is still plenty of football to play here.
SUB! Getafe make their first change of the match as Hinestroza replaces Sarabia.
Another half-chance for the away side as Bale finds James on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight at the Getafe stopper. Still goalless with little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Castro handles. Excellent chance here...
... Bale takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
BOOKING! James (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling Hinestroza to the ground.
Still not too much for the Real Madrid supporters to get excited about as another attack breaks down with Isco. Surely Ancelotti will be considering a change with little under 30 minutes to play.
GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
It just had to be him didn't it?! Ronaldo has his 27th league goal of the season as the attacker converts from close range after excellent work from Benzema, Getafe have been undone here.
It is tough on Getafe, but Real Madrid deserve to be ahead, of that there is little doubt.
BOOKING! Lago (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Carvajal.
GOAL! Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid (Bale)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as Bale turns a super James cross into the back of the net from close range. Excellent counter from the world champions, who are in total control now.
Getafe need to be really careful that they do not take a hiding in the final stages of this match. That would be terrible for their confidence at this stage. Still more than 20 minutes to play here.
Half-chance for the home side as Hinestroza strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. My pre-match prediction of 3-0 is starting to look a good bet.
CLOSE! Ronaldo comes close to scoring his second after striking a free kick from some 40 yards, but his effort just drops wide of the post. So close to 3-0 Real Madrid.
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Yoda replaces Leon.
Slightly untidy last couple of minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In truth, I think that Getafe know that this game is beyond them at this stage.
Yoda shows excellent pace to run away from the Real Madrid midfield, but the midfielder then takes one touch too many and Casillas is on hand to collect. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Yoda again causes problems to the Real Madrid defence as the Ivorian takes two defenders out of the game before feeding Hinestroza, but the Colombian just falls at the vital moment.
SUB! Real Madrid make their first change as Khedira replaces Isco.
GOAL! Getafe 0-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
The away side have their third of the match as Ronaldo heads a James cross into the back of the net. League goal number 28 for the Portuguese and Getafe are taking a bit of a hiding now.
SUBS! Real Madrid make a double change as Khedira and Nacho enter the field in place of Kroos and Marcelo. Getafe also make a change as Alex Felip replaces Sammir.
Decent response from the home side as good work from Vasquez forces a corner, but the flick-on from Alexis is cleared at the near post. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining in Madrid.
POST! Getafe come close to opening their tally for the afternoon as Felip sets up Alvaro at the far post, but somehow the striker rattles the post from close range. What a miss!
Strong finish from the home side as they continue to deliver balls into the Real Madrid box, but it just will not fall for a blue shirt! Real Madrid face a fight to keep their clean sheet in tact here.
We are into the first of two added minutes in the capital.
Bale is not a happy boy at the moment after taking a late challenge from Valazquez, who has already been booked. The Welshman might have to miss the final seconds of this match.
FULL-TIME: Getafe 0-3 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close, with Real Madrid running out 3-0 winners. The result has moved Los Blancos four points clear at the top of the table, while Getafe remain down in 15th. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon from Madrid!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
