'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Second-half goals from Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Getafe at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
Zinedine Zidane made two changes to the side that saw off Huesca last weekend. Teenager Marvin Park was handed his first start for Los Blancos in place of the suspended Toni Kroos, while Marcelo came in for the injured Alvaro Odriozola.
The hosts started on the front foot in a one-sided first half. However, an inspired Getafe defence proved difficult to break down, while David Soria was also in fine form to thwart the Real Madrid attack.
Trending
It was more of the same in the second half, but Los Blancos finally got the breakthrough when Karim Benzema rose highest to head home a cross by Vinicius Junior in the 60th minute.
Real Madrid doubled their lead six minutes later after Ferland Mendy and Marcelo combined for the Frenchman to score his first goal of the season.
The rest of the game was played out at a controlled tempo by the hosts to ensure that they grabbed all three points.
The victory moves Real Madrid back into second spot in the La Liga table and here we shall be having a rundown of five talking points from the game.
#5 Poor Getafe fail to turn up against their city rivals
While fixtures between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid might take centre-stage as the main Madrid derby, Getafe's geographical location also installs them as city rivals to Los Blancos.
The visitors came into this game on a run of three games without a win and did not do too much to halt their winless run.
In what was a totally lethargic performance, Los Azulones failed to apply themselves against their illustrious hosts.
Considering how well Jose Bordalas has drilled his side in the last year, it was rather disappointing how meek they were against Real Madrid. The visitors registered just one shot across the 90 minutes and did not force Thibaut Courtois into a save.
On the overall balance of play, Getafe deserved to lose this game, which puts further pressure on them, considering that they are just four points above the dropzone.
#4 Real Madrid continue good run against Getafe
Despite being a city derby, Real Madrid have posted good results against Getafe in the past.
The Bernabeu outfit came into this clash having not lost any of their last 13 games against Getafe in La Liga, and their positive record barely looked threatened on home soil.
This victory means they have now won 13 of their last 14 league games against Getafe, with clean sheets kept in their last five matches consecutively.
#3 Real Madrid take advantage of Atletico Madrid's slip-up
Atletico Madrid have installed themselves as runaway leaders in La Liga but this win helped Real Madrid close the deficit on their city rivals.
Los Colchoneros had dropped points at the death in a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo, and this saw them lose the opportunity to go 10 points clear at the summit.
Real Madrid had a chance to temporarily close the gap to five points, and they did so.
Despite being heavily-depleted by injuries, the defending champions got the job done with a professional performance. They still have a long way to go, and the deficit to Atletico - who have two games in hand - is still very tangible.
However, the defending champions did their chances of retaining their title a world of good with this win over Getafe.
#2 Marcelo returns to the starting lineup to remind everyone of his abilities
The last few years have seen Marcelo perform beneath his usual standards, which concordantly saw him lose his starting spot at Real Madrid.
Injuries afflicting the first team afforded him a rare start, with the captain's armband handed to him in the absence of Sergio Ramos.
In what was a throwback to his best displays, Marcelo proved to be a constant menace down the left flank and put the Getafe backline on their toes with his bombarding runs forward.
The 32-year-old made a game-high five key passes, provided an assist for Ferland Mendy and completed one dribble in what was a breathtaking display before making way for Victor Chust in the 86th minute.
#1 Karim Benzema continues to be the go-to guy for Real Madrid
Real Madrid endured a frustrating first half which boiled over into the second period before Karim Benzema opened the scoring on the hour mark.
The Frenchman showed great anticipation and technique to take advantage of Vinicius' pin-point delivery, which was no less than he deserved for what was a fine performance.
He had earlier forced Soria into a reflex save from a header in the first half but he was not to be denied the second time around.
In total, Benzema had six shots, with two of those on target, and he generally dispatched his duties as the focal point of attack with aplomb.
The goal means that he has now been involved in 15 goals in his last 19 games against Getafe. He also brought his total for the season to 16 goals and five assists from 27 games in all competitions for Real Madrid.
