Sergio Ramos scored from the spot as Real Madrid were made to work extremely hard to secure a 1-0 win over Getafe on Thursday night which saw Los Blancos take a huge step towards the title as they moved four points clear of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.
The visitors played with impressive intensity in the opening minutes, registering four attempts on target to Madrid’s one and coming closest as Xabi Etxeita hit a shot with his thigh which Thibaut Courtois did well to push wide.
Zinedine Zidane’s side looked uncomfortable, but found their rhythm later in the half and should have scored when Ferland Mendy crossed for Vinicius Junior, but the Brazilian’s low effort from six yards out was pushed wide by David Soria.
Real, seeking a win to move four clear after Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Tuesday, also struggled to make much of an impact early in the second half.
Marco Asensio started to warm up after the break and his introduction just after the hour mark, along with Rodrygo and Fede Valverde, allowed Madrid to step up a notch.
The home side began to dominate and after the drinks break, Dani Carvajal was brought down by Mathias Olivera and the referee pointed to the spot.
Ramos stepped up, paused in his run-up and drilled a low shot past Soria, who went the right way, but could not reach the defender's effort inside his left-hand pòst.
Madrid are now four points clear with five rounds of LaLiga remaining and Zidane’s side are a step closer to the title, which will be all but sealed if they can win at Athletic Club on Sunday.
Getafe stay in sixth and are five points behind Sevilla in fourth.
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