Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe - Real put Barca celebrations on hold

Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by PA

Real Madrid delayed Barcelona's title celebrations at least by 24 hours after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick helped Jose Mourinho's men thump struggling neighbours Getafe 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

Anything other than a Madrid victory would have seen Barca crowned Spanish champions for the third successive season, but La Liga's leading scorer Ronaldo ensured that would not be the case.

The world's most expensive player, who scored four times in Saturday's 6-2 win at Sevilla, netted in the 24th, 58th and 90th minutes to take his tally to the season to 36 - two short of equalling the Primera Division record.

Karim Benzema also got on the scoresheet a few seconds after coming on as a substitute as Madrid closed the gap on leaders Barca to five points.

However, with only two games left in the season for Madrid they are know it is Barca's title to lose, and Pep Guardiola's men can clinch the championship with a point against Levante on Wednesday night.

For Getafe, the defeat leaves them still in deep relegation trouble near the foot of the table.

After a slow start, Madrid took the lead in the 26th minute through that man Ronaldo.

Mesut Ozil curled in a superb cross with the outside of his left foot and Ronaldo climbed between Getafe defenders Cata Diaz and Miguel Torres to power a downward header past Oscar Ustari.

That proved to be the only goal of the first half, although Madrid survived a scare right on the stroke of half-time when Adrian Colunga saw his goal-bound header blocked by Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Ronaldo, who started the day two goals clear of Barcelona's Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts, looked keen to increase his tally at the start of the second half with two efforts on goal.

And he did make it 2-0 in the 57th minute after again being set up by Ozil.

Ustari just beat Gonzalo Higuain to a through-pass, but the loose ball fell to Ozil, who rolled it inside to Ronaldo, who took his time before coolly slotting into a gaping net.

Getafe had the chance to pull a goal back on the hour but the unmarked Javi Casquero completely fluffed his shot from the edge of the area.

Madrid then added a third in the 77th minute when Benzema, having just seconds earlier replaced Higuain, latched onto a Xabi Alonso pass before slamming his second touch of the ball into the roof of the net.

The hosts had chances to increase their lead in the closing stages but hat-trick hunting Ronaldo saw an effort tipped behind by Ustari, who also produced a brilliant save to deny Alonso.

Ronaldo was celebrating his treble by the end, however, after the referee adjudged Mane to have fouled the Portugal international in the box.

It looked a harsh decision but Ronaldo took advantage by slotting the resulting penalty down the centre of the goal to complete a one-sided win - although one that is ultimately unlikely to prevent Barca from winning the title.