Controversial penalty help Madrid to victory over Getafe
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Xinhua, September 11, 2011
Real Madrid had to work hard in order to defeat local rivals Getafe 4-2 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday night.
Karim Benzema scored twice in an excellent personal display, while Gonzalo Higuain also got on the score-sheet, but it was a controversial penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, which helped tip the balance of the game.
With the scores tied 1-1 Ronaldo went down under an innocuous challenge from Getafe defender Cata Diaz after 59 minutes. If there was contact, it was outside of the penalty area, but that didn't stop referee Clos Gomez pointing to the penalty spot and Ronaldo scoring to put his side back ahead.
Benzema added a further goal on the break, before Miku scored his second of the night and although Getafe worked hard to get back on level terms, Higuain, who had just gone into the game as a late substitute, added a fourth goal to give his side a flattering final scoreline.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho stuck with the side that had opened its league campaign with a 6-0 win in Zaragoza and was rewarded with a dominant start to the game.
Angel de Maria and Mesut Ozil both went close, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored seven goals in just 3 games against Getafe saw a powerful header tipped over by Miguel Angel Moya.
A goal looked to be a question of time and it was Karim Benzema, who opened the scoring with a neat side-footed finished after good work from Marcelo and Ozil after 14 minutes.
Benzema turned provider soon afterwards, setting up Fabio Coentrao, after a great rum from Marcelo, however, Coentrao side-footed wide with just Moya to beat.
Madrid seemed to take their foot off the gas as the half progressed and were punished six minutes from half time when Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe left Miku in space to fire past Iker Casillas with a right foot shot.
The second half saw Getafe take the game to their illustrious neighbors, but it was always going to be difficult once Ronaldo 'won' and scored his controversial penalty.
The striker then set up Benzema for Madrid's third of the game, using the spaces left by Getafe to slide in a long diagonal pass.
Miku kept calm to keep Getafe in the match with his second goal of the night, but with the visitors looking for an equalizing goal, Higuain broke their hearts in the closing moments.
