Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema all score as Real Madrid thrash Getafe

Real Madrid put their Copa del Rey controversy
behind them with a thumping 4-1 derby win over
Getafe.
Real were disqualified from the cup competition
24 hours earlier for fielding an ineligible player,
Russia winger Denis Cheryshev, who scored the
opening goal in their win against Cadiz on
Wednesday.
Cheryshev was named among the substitutes
against Getafe as Real, who will appeal against
their expulsion, recalled their big guns for the
Primera Division clash.
And superstar trio Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale
and Cristiano Ronaldo were all on target in the
first half to provide a morale-boosting end to
another difficult week at the Bernabeu.
Benzema struck the opener after just four
minutes when he tucked away a cross from Pepe.
The France striker almost doubled their
advantage five minutes later, but his header from
James Rodriguez's cross was saved by Vicente
Guaita.
But Benzema did not have to wait long to grab his
second, coolly slotting the ball past Guaita from
Bale's header in the 16th minute.
Bale and Rodriguez went close with shots which
flew narrowly wide, before Damian Suarez fired
narrowly over for the visitors.
Bale did get in on the act after 35 minutes when
he latched onto Ronaldo's header to fire home his
fourth goal of the season, and his second in two
games.
Not to be outdone, Ronaldo made it four goals in
his last three outings three minutes later following
a lightning counter attack.
Toni Kroos fed the Portugal international, who
fired across Guaita and into the bottom left-hand
corner.
Bale could have made it five before half-time
when he found space in the box again, only this
time the Welshman dragged his shot wide.
Benzema had a chance to complete his hat-trick
four minutes into the second half, but his shot
flew high and wide.
However, Real took their foot off the gas as the
second half progressed and instead a rare Getafe
attack provided them with a consolation goal.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Pedro Leon floated
in a corner and defender Alexis rose highest to
nod the ball past home keeper Keylor Navas.
Kroos could have added a fifth five minutes from
the end after being teed up by Lucas Vazquez
but Guaita made a fine save.