Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe: Los Blancos return to winning ways
Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe: Los Blancos return to winning ways. Real Madrid brought themselves back into the La Liga title race despite their injury woes by beating city rivals Getafe on Sunday night.
Jude Bellingham did opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute before Kylian Mbappe bagged his tenth goal of the campaign with a well-taken goal.
Getafe however did hit the woodwork a couple of times, but couldn’t force the ball over the line and remain near the bottom of the Spanish top flight.
How the match unfolded:
Plenty of the pre-match conjecture centred around Madrid’s vast problems. The defeat to Liverpool highlighted a number of issues currently plaguing Carlo Ancelotti, with key personnel again missing from the Italian’s squad.
Thnakfully, there was some respite on the fitness front. Rodrygo was fit to start after a period on the sidelines and had the Bernabeu crowd on their feet begging for a penalty when he went down in the penalty area, though nothing was awarded.
Some anxiety set in among the supporters, but the hosts were gifted the chance to go ahead on the half-hour mark when Antonio Rudiger was wrestled to the floor by Allan Nyom. Fascinatingly, it was Bellingham who stepped up to convert after Mbappe’s nightmare spot-kick at Anfield.
The England international kept his cool when his French teammate couldn’t in midweek, with a hop, skip and a jump flummoxing David Soria before the ball hit the back of the net.
Getafe might have hoped to prey on some of the glaring weaknesses currently present in Madrid’s game plan, but instead they quickly found themselves 2-0 behind. They left too much space in behind and the ball was turned over rapidly to Mbappe, who took a touch before curling delightfully off the post and in.
A mis-hit Federico Valverde cross so nearly found its way into the goal to make it 3-0, but Getafe just about managed to reach half-time two goals down instead of three.
Bellingham came off at half-time and Madrid were soon handed another penalty, this time for an alleged handball against Juan Berrocal. However, a video assistant referee check confirmed the ball hit his leg instead and the decision was overturned.
Getafe, who have scored only ten league goals so far this season, nearly found their way back into the contest as they hit the woodwork through substitute Christantus Uche with Thibaut Courtois well beaten.
The visitors enjoyed a period in the ascendancy but ultimately couldn’t make it count, with Madrid instead getting more chances to extend their lead. Mbappe went through one-on-one but fluffed his lines with a heavy touch after rounding the goalkeeper, who then blocked another of his efforts a few moments later.
Diego Rico flashed one just past Courtois’ post and, even though Madrid looked more likely to grab a third goal, Getafe then nearly grabbed a consolation, only for John Patrick’s strike to hit both the crossbar and post before bouncing to safety.
Madrid ended up seeing out the final moments to secure the victory, taking them within a point of La Liga leaders Barca with a game in hand.
