MADRID, February 16- Real Madrid made light of the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo with a 3-0 win away at Getafe to move level with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
It took the visitors just five minutes to make the breakthrough as Jese Rodriguez curled home his fifth goal in six games from Gareth Bale’s pass.
Karim Benzema doubled Madrid’s advantage as he finished off Angel di Maria’s fine cross before the break and Luka Modric rounded off the scoring with an effort from outside the box midway through the second-half.
All three sides at the top are now tied on 60 points with 14 games still to play.
Ronaldo’s three-match suspension after being sent-off against Athletic Bilbao earlier this month has allowed Jese to get a continued run in the side and the Spaniard continued to make his case for a place in Vicente del Bosque’s World Cup squad with a precise finish into the far corner.
Despite being involved in the build-up to the goal, Bale didn’t enjoy his best afternoon as he slotted a wonderful chance wide after great work from Benzema and was shown a yellow card in the first-half.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were well in control, though, and made the game safe with a flowing counter-attack that ended with Di Maria’s cross being swept home by Benzema.
Getafe started the second period the stronger as Madrid constantly gave the ball away cheaply, however the hosts couldn’t take advantage of a number of half chances and were punished when Modric added to Real’s lead 24 minutes from time.
The Croatian midfielder has been his side’s most consistent performer since the start of the year, but hadn’t scored in La Liga this season until his low strike from 25 yards sneaked past Miguel Angel Moya.
Defeat leaves Getafe still fighting for their lives as they remain without a league win since November and just four points above the relegation zone.
