Madrid, Dec 5 (EFE; odds by IDSca.com).- Real Madrid, which has endured two turbulent weeks, culminated by its elimination from the Copa del Rey tournament for use of an ineligible player, restored some order by routing Getafe 4-1 here Saturday.

The team’s troubles have included the legal woes of Karim Benzema but the striker shook off his troubles related to an alleged plot to blackmail fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape, scoring two goals early on at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The first came on a volley off a pass from the right side from Portuguese defender Pepe in the fourth minute and the second when a broken play ended with him booting home a left-footed strike in the 16th minute.

Getafe, meanwhile, scarcely showed any signs of aggressiveness in the first half, which ended with Real Madrid on top 4-0 after Welsh midfielder Christian Bale scored on a hooking left-footed strike in the area in the 35th minute, followed by a Cristiano Ronaldo goal on a breakaway opportunity three minutes later.

The second half was devoid of drama, although it included a rare goal against Blancos net minder Keylor Navas, who was unable to stop Alexis Ruano from heading the ball into the back of the net off a corner kick.

“Benzema needed more time and work,” Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez said, referring to the French striker’s struggles since returning from a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty.

The Frenchman returned to the starting line-up for the first time since the Blancos’ demoralizing 4-0 loss at the hands of FC Barcelona on Nov. 21.

“We were talking and he really wanted to play this game and do things well, score goals. He even set an objective of scoring two goals and he did it. It shows that he’s quite focused,” Benitez said.

The win came a day after the team learned that it had been eliminated from the Copa del Rey because it inadvertently fielded an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev, in its match Wednesday against third-division side Cadiz.

Cadiz successfully appealed its 3-1 loss in that round of 32 first-leg match, arguing to the Spanish soccer federation that Cheryshev had been suspended after receiving three yellow cards in last year’s competition while on loan at Villarreal.

Real Madrid has said it will appeal the ruling. EFE

In Costa Rica, leading Pay-Per-Head (PPH) provider IDSca.com is reporting that odds makers and handicappers are adjusting their odds to account for the return of Navas to guard the goalposts and Benzema to the offensive line.

For the upcoming UEFA Champions league match against Malmo of Sweden, the odds on a Real Madrid victory are 1/12, even with the Spanish club resting key players Navas and Ronaldo.

As for Real Madrid coming away with the coveted La Liga title, the odds are 9/2. Rival Barcelona FC is the current favorite at 5/19.