Ronaldo, Bale lead Real past Getafe

Madrid : Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 300th LaLiga goal as Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Portugal forward had been left out of the squad for Tuesday night’s trip to Espanyol, where Zinedine Zidane’s side were beaten 1-0 by a stoppage-time goal.

There was, though, no stopping Los Blancos on Saturday, with Gareth Bale breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute before Ronaldo reached his personal landmark on the stroke of half-time.

Getafe saw forward Loic Remy sent off for a second caution early in the second half, but reduced the deficit in the 65th minute through a controversial penalty from Francisco Portillo only for Ronaldo to wrap things up with a late header.

Real’s victory moved them four points clear of Valencia, who have a match in hand, and provided the perfect build-up to next week’s crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo was one of five changes by Zidane from the team which lost at RCDE Stadium. Real, though, never looked in any danger of failing to get the required result against Getafe.

Ronaldo soon had the ball in the net, but celebrations were swiftly cut short by an offside flag.

Bale, who was making a record 117th LaLiga appearance by a British player, put Real ahead, sweeping in a loose ball which dropped on the penalty spot.

The home side continued to press and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. Karim Benzema drove forwards and slipped Ronaldo into the right side of the penalty area. The Portugal forward spun to fire the ball past Emiliano Martinez, the on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper.

Real Madrid, though, had already claimed that landmark to have been reached, with some confusion over whether Ronaldo should be credited with a free-kick against Real Sociedad during the 2010-2011 campaign which had deflected in off Pepe.