MADRID — Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane made up for the absence of Sergio Ramos by scoring one goal and making another to help his side to a hard-fought 3-0 win at Getafe on Saturday, their first La Liga victory in four matches. The win takes Real top of the standings on 40 points after 19 games, one ahead of champions Barcelona in second who visit local rivals Espanyol later on Saturday. France defender Varane forced the opening strike for Real in the 34th minute, out-jumping goalkeeper David Soria to meet a cross from Ferland Mendy which rebounded off the keeper into the net for an own goal. Varane again showed his aerial prowess to double Real's lead in the 53rd minute with a towering header from a Toni Kroos free kick, while Luka Modric rounded off the win by tapping a Federico Valverde pass into an empty net deep in added time.

Source: New York Times January 04, 2020 17:33 UTC