Cristiano Ronaldo grabs dramatic winner as Real Madrid overcome Getafe late on

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a late winner to keep Real Madrid in contention at the top of La Liga, clinching a far from convincing 2-1 victory over Getafe.

Anything less than a win would have seen Zinedine Zidane’s side fall as much as 10 points behind Barcelona in the league standings following a difficult start to the season, but Ronaldo found the net just minutes from the end to secure victory for a team struggling for form at the moment.

Karim Benzema returned from injury and opened the scoring after 39 minutes, making the most of a Getafe mistake to slide home a finish. But the hosts responded after the half time interval, equalising through a combination of Jorge Molino and Marcos Llorente.

And for so long it appeared that goal would be enough for the home side to claim a well-earned point. But Ronaldo decided the contest, netting his first league goal of the season. The hope for player and club is that the campaign will now take off from this point on.

Is Zinedine Zidane’s policy of rotation harming Real Madrid at this moment?

There is no doubt that rotating worked for Real Madrid last season as they outlasted their rivals to win a league and Champions League double. But the champions have lost their way in recent weeks and the constant chopping and changing from Zidane seems to be harming them. They just can’t find their groove, so is it time for Zidane to stick with the same side for a few weeks in succession?

The French striker has faced criticism from many of his own fans in recent weeks, but Benzema made his mark as he returned to the Real Madrid starting lineup from injury. He threatened throughout and found the opener after 39 minutes, sliding home a finish into the far corner. Benzema might divide opinion, but he remains one of the most effective goalscorers in the game and he showed that today.

Getafe - Guaita 7, Antunes 6, Cala 6, Dakonam 7, Suarez 6, Arambarri 6, Bergara 5, Ndiaye 5, Fajr 5, Jimenez 4, Molina 6. Subs - Lacen 5, Portillo 5, Gonzalez 5.

Real Madrid - Casilla 5, Achraf 5, Nacho 5, Ramos 5, Marcelo 5, Llorente 5, Kroos 5, Lucas 7, Asensio 6, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 8. Subs - Theo 6, Isco 7, Mayoral 5.

11’ RONALDO SHOT ON GOAL! The Real Madrid number seven links up with Benzema on the edge of the box before shooting at goal, but Guaita makes the save to deny him the opener.

13’ INJURY FOR THE HOSTS! Jimenez has gone down again, this time unprompted. He clashed with Ramos in the opening 10 minutes and doesn't seem to have recovered.

39’ GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid: He's back from injury and Benzema has made the breakthrough for Real Madrid! Getafe give away the ball far too cheaply and Benzema makes no mistake in sliding home into the far corner.

55’ GOAL! Getafe 1-1 Real Madrid: Against the run of play, the home side have scored the equaliser. Molino gets on the end of a low cross to turn the ball into the Real Madrid net. It might have been an own goal!

76’ THE KING OF SITTERS! I can't quite believe that Ronaldo has missed that. The ball fell to him about three yards out. The goal was gaping, and he somehow managed to put it wide.

77’ THEO GOAL IS CHALKED OFF! Real Madrid, just for a moment, thought, they had taken the lead again, but the flag is up to deny Theo. The away side are cranking up the pressure.

84’ GOAL! Getafe 1-2 Real Madrid: Ronaldo has scored! Real Madrid have taken the lead! He's barely done a thing all game, but he's on hand to find the far corner of the net with a shot when it really matters.

Karim Benzema has now scored 123 league goals as a Real Madrid player, but this was the first one in La Liga this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in 11 of his last 12 La Liga games against Getafe, including three hat-tricks.