Benzema’s goals help carry Madrid closer to Barcelona

MADRID — Karim Benzema scored his first goals since being implicated in a blackmail case, helping Real Madrid beat Getafe 4-1 Saturday and move closer to leader Barcelona in the Spanish league.

Barcelona conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Valencia, with the host’s new coach Gary Neville watching on in the stands.

Benzema scored in the fourth and 16th minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Gareth Bale added a third in the 35th and Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 38th to give Madrid a needed victory, one day after it was disqualified from the Copa del Rey for using a suspended player in the latest embarrassment to hit the Spanish powerhouse.

Madrid has been under increased pressure since a humiliating 4-0 loss to Barcelona at home and coach Rafa Benitez again was loudly jeered by fans at the Bernabeu. Many club supporters also repeated calls for the resignation of president Florentino Perez.

Saturday’s result allowed Madrid to pull to within four points of Barcelona and remain two points behind Atletico Madrid, which defeated Granada 2-0 for its fourth straight league win.

Benzema has been charged in France with conspiracy to blackmail in relation to an alleged extortion scam over a sex tape featuring his national teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema is suspected of having played an active role in pressuring Valbuena to deal with the blackmailers.

He spent a night in police custody in November because of the case, which has attracted unwanted attention for the striker with headlines on and off the sports pages.