Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal during their Spanish first division soccer league match against Getafe at Colisseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Madrid January 3, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

 

Real Madrid remain just two points behind Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 3-2 win over near neighbors Getafe on Monday.

Real Madrid had the match under control after just 19 minutes. The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot after nine minutes when Angel de Maria took advantage of a slight tug on his shirt from Mane to fall over in the penalty area.

Referee Undiano Mallenco gave a penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo scored without further ado.

10 minutes later Mesut Ozil made it 2-0 after rounding the Getafe keeper to fire into an empty net thanks to a smart pass from De Maria.

Getafe looked to react and former Madrid midfielder Dani Parejo scored a brilliant solo goal to make it 2-1 after 28 minutes. Parejo dribbled past two defenders before beating Iker Casillas with a right foot shot.

The home side kept up the pressure, while at the other end, Ronaldo was close to adding a third for Madrid following a low Ozil cross.

Getafe should have been looking to draw level but lost concentration early in the second half, leaving a lot of space for Ronaldo to score his second of the game.

Shortly afterwards Madrid wasted a great chance to make it 4-1 as they wasted a three to one numerical advantage in attack when De Maria, Ronaldo and Benzema should have scored, slow thinking allowed Codina to collect the ball.

Kaka returned to action for the first time since May with 15 minutes remaining, just six minutes before Alvaro Arbeloa was sent off for his second yellow card of the night for a clear handball.

Juan Albin scored from close range for Getafe with six minutes remaining as Madrid were still trying to reorganize in defense.

Getafe looked for an equalizing goal in the final minutes, but were never able to put the Madrid goal under pressure.