BARCELONA // Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez scored early to help Real Madrid ease to a 3-0 win at Getafe and restore a three-way tie for first place in the Spanish Primera Liga last night.
Madrid’s win matched Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s victories on Saturday to keep the trio level after 24 league rounds on 60 points, and well ahead of nearest chaser Athletic Bilbao.
With leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo serving the second of a three-game suspension, the 20-year-old striker Jese scored for a third straight round to get Madrid going in the fifth minute at Alfonso Perez Stadium.
Benzema made it 2-0 from Angel Di Maria’s pass in the 27th minute, and midfielder Luka Modric added another goal from long range in the 66th.
Also yesterday, Granada ended a three-game losing streak by beating Real Betis 1-0, leaving the league’s bottom club 10 points from safety.
Getafe, who never threatened, remain winless in nine straight league games and four points above the relegation zone.
Madrid again proved that even without the Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, they have more than enough talent in a star-studded squad to keep winning against La Liga’s middling teams.
Behind Ronaldo’s league-leading 22 goals, Benzema has scored 14 times in the league for Madrid this season, while Jese has managed five goals in what is becoming a breakthrough season for the young forward.
Jese took Ronaldo’s spot on the left side of the attack and used his pace to take Gareth Bale’s pass, move the ball to his right foot, and flick a shot just inside the far post. Benzema then doubled the lead when he chested down Di Maria’s lobbed pass on the break before driving it under goalkeeper Miguel Moya.
Modric finished Getafe off by sending a long shot off the turf past the diving Moya.
Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez said: “The team played well from the start and the first goal made things easier for us at a ground that has always been difficult.
“We played in an effective manner knowing we needed to win.”
Granada forward Francisco Medina scored what proved to be the winner at Los Carmenes Stadium in the 31st minute when he controlled a long pass and slotted inside the post.
Both teams finished with 10 men after Granada substitute Dani Benitez earned a straight red card for a foul on Jose Delgado in the 79th minute, and Betis’ Antonio Amaya received his second booking in injury time.
Granada moved six points clear of the relegation zone.
Betis have one win and three losses under Gabriel Calderon, the former coach of Arabian Gulf League club Baniyas.
“The team knew it was a very important day, but we couldn’t get the win,” Betis striker Ruben Castro said. “We haven’t thrown in the towel yet.”
