The Merengues, who will have to validate their ticket for the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday against Chelsea (3-1 success in the first leg at Stamford Bridge), opened the scoring just before the break (39th) thanks to a centered ball from outside the right by Vinicius and cut by a diving header from compatriot Casemiro.

Then sealed their success with a second goal from Lucas Vazquez (68th).

The joy of Brazilian midfielder Real Madrid Casemiro opens the scoring at home with a diving header against Getafe, during the 31st day of LaLiga, April 9, 2022 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU AFP

Benzema applauded, Bale whistled

And with this 12th assist of the season in all competitions, Vinicius joins Benzema, who is still the top scorer and the best assister in La Liga (24 goals, 11 assists).

The public even gave a standing ovation to "KB9" when it came out in the 73rd... and heavily whistled its replacement Gareth Bale, who walked the lawn of the Santiago-Bernabéu for the first time in more than two years in official competition (since February 26, 2020 against Manchester City).

Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema is replaced by Welsh Gareth Bale, during the match against Getafe, counting for the 31st day of LaLiga, on April 9, 2022 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Pierre-Philippe MARCOU AFP

And Lucas Vazquez, often a substitute this season, took advantage of the rotations made by Carlo Ancelotti for the summit against Chelsea, to replace Dani Carvajal and score his second goal of the season.

A success that confirms the good momentum of Real since the slap received during the clasico against Barça at the end of March (4-0).

Essential three days before the clash at the Bernabéu against the London defending champions.

Ancelotti's men are again twelve points ahead of Sevilla FC, winner of Granada 4-2 on Friday and 2nd in the standings, before FC Barcelona's match at Levante on Sunday (9:00 p.m.).

Atlético, it gets complicated

Atlético, meanwhile, stumbled 1-0 in Mallorca and see their race for qualification in the Champions League become complicated, with the victory in Cadiz of Betis Sevilla (2-1), which comes down to a point of the Rojiblancos .

Atlético Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone during the 1-0 defeat on the field of Mallorca, during the 31st day of LaLiga, April 9, 2022 JAIME REINA AFP

Four days before their Champions League quarter-final return (Tuesday at 9:00 p.m.), where they will play for a ticket to the semi-finals after the 1-0 defeat on Manchester City's lawn in the first leg, the Colchoneros have was surprised in the 68th minute by a penalty conceded by Reinildo and converted by Kosovar Vedat Muriqi.

The joy of Kosovar striker from Mallorca Vedat Muriqi, after scoring the only goal of the victory at home against Atlético Madrid, on the 31st day of LaLiga, on April 9, 2022 JAIME REINA AFP

Diego Simeone's men were listless, only managing to shoot once at the Mallorcan goal the entire game.

Conversely, they conceded their 7th penalty this season in La Liga, their worst total since the 2010-2011 season, according to statistician Opta.

Betis dreams of C1

The Colchoneros season could take a very nasty turn in the space of a few days: they put an end to their series of six consecutive victories in La Liga, are in bad shape in C1 … and will have to fight for a place in the League champions next season.

Because a few hours earlier, Betis Sevilla, with a Nabil Fekir back after serving his two suspension matches, managed to turn the tide on the Cadiz field to approach the qualifying places for the C1.

Ivan Alejo opened the scoring for Cadiz after the break (58th), but Cristian Tello equalized a few seconds after coming on in place of Fekir (78th), and the inevitable Borja Iglesias, who replaced Willian José in the 60th, sealed the success for the "Béticos" on penalty (85th).

The joy of Betis Sevilla striker Borja Iglesias, after converting his penalty against Cadiz, during the 31st day of LaLiga, April 9, 2022 CRISTINA QUICLER AFP

If Real has almost folded the title race, the race for Europe remains undecided.

© 2022 AFP