Benzema declares title race is back is on after Real Madrid beat Getafe

Karim Benzema insists "there is a long way to go" in the LaLiga title race after Real Madrid made up ground on leaders Atlético Madrid. Benzema opened the scoring on the hour-mark and Ferland Mendy doubled the lead as Zinedine Zidane’s side claimed a 2-0 victory against Getafe on Tuesday.

Atleti were held to a 2-2 home draw by Celta on Monday as Zidane's team closed the gap to five points in Valdebebas, although Diego Simeone’s team still have two games in hand. But that does not matter to Benzema, who headed in Vinicius Junior's cross to net his 16th goal of the season in all competitions, and the France international striker believes Madrid have Atleti in their sights.

"It was a good goal, a good cross from Vini and the ball went in. I think we are back," Benzema told Movistar. "It is always very difficult against Getafe. We will continue like this. There is a long way to go until the end of the season. Each game is a final and we have to try to win every one. We are confident. There is always a lot of noise around Madrid because this is the best club in the world."

Valencia up next

Next up for Madrid is a meeting with Valencia on Sunday, while table-toppers Atlético travel to face Granada on Saturday. Third-placed Barcelona, who are three points behind Madrid and eight points off the top, host Alavés on Saturday following their Copa Del Rey semi-final first leg against Sevilla later tonight.