New Delhi: Real Madrid narrowed the gap at the top of La Liga with a confident 2-0 victory over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday. The European Champions took full advantage of league leaders Barcelona recent faltering form and moved into second place in the league table. Goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s side moved just one point behind league leaders Barcelona.
The opening stages saw Real Madrid dominate possession, with Getafe sitting deep and relying on counterattacks. However, Getafe’s disciplined defense couldn’t hold out for long. Just at the half an hour mark things turned in Real Madrid’s favour as Allan Nyom’s clumsy challenge on Antonio Rüdiger during a corner gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Jude Bellingham, who has quickly established himself as a key figure in Madrid’s midfield, stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty down the middle, sending goalkeeper David Soria the wrong way.
The Englishman is not normally the one of penalty duties for his club so this decision to let Bellingham take the penalty was significant. Kylian Mbappé, who has been taking the penalties for Real Madrid this season, had missed a crucial spot-kick during Real Madrid’s midweek Champions League loss to Liverpool so that probably played the part in the switch. The tactical switch seemed to pay off, as Bellingham’s cool finish calmed the nerves in the stadium and set the tone for the rest of the match.
🏁 @RealMadridEN 2-0 @GetafeCFen
⚽ 30′ @BellinghamJude (p)
⚽ 38′ @KMbappe #RealMadridGetafe | @Emirates pic.twitter.com/ZIemSZvQvu
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 1, 2024
Mbappé however got himself on the scoresheet regardless as eight minutes later, Bellingham once again demonstrated his impact, threading a perfect through ball to the Frenchman. The French forward took a deft touch to control the pass before clinically slotting the ball into the bottom corner, extending Madrid’s lead to 2-0. This marked Mbappé’s 10th goal of the season across all competitions and showcased the growing chemistry between the two superstars.
While Real Madrid looked comfortable with their two-goal cushion, Getafe nearly clawed their way back into the match with a few dangerous chances. In the second half, Christantus Uche spun away from Rüdiger and unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the post with Thibaut Courtois beaten. John Patrick, another substitute, came close to halving the deficit with a thunderous strike that hit both the crossbar and post in a heart-stopping moment for Madrid fans.
Despite these scares, Real Madrid continued to control the tempo. Brahim Díaz almost added a third goal when he chested down a long ball and attempted an audacious lob over Soria, but his effort landed on the roof of the net. Fede Valverde also came close, forcing Soria into a diving save to push his low drive past the post. Despite missing an opportunity to increase Madrid’s lead, Mbappé’s overall performance highlighted his attacking threat and ability to stretch defenses.
Real Madrid inch closer towards leaders Barcelona
🚨 La Liga table, as it stands. pic.twitter.com/oiiCzJuN4j
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 1, 2024
The win propels Real Madrid to 33 points from 14 matches, just one point behind Barcelona, who have played a game more. With the league race heating up, this victory was crucial in maintaining pressure on their Catalan rivals. Meanwhile, Getafe remain in 17th place, just above the relegation zone with 13 points from 15 games.
Ancelotti will be pleased with his team’s response following their Champions League setback. Bellingham’s continued brilliance and Mbappé’s lethal finishing offer optimism for the remainder of the season, both in La Liga and Europe. As Real Madrid gear up for a busy fixture schedule, their growing momentum and depth in attack could prove decisive in their quest for domestic and continental glory.
Getafe, on the other hand, face a tough battle ahead as they try to climb out of the relegation zone. Despite showing flashes of resilience, they will need to find consistency and capitalize on their opportunities if they are to avoid slipping further down the table. Madrid’s victory over Getafe not only boosts their title hopes but also reaffirms their status as one of the most formidable teams in Europe this season.
Real Madrid took full advantage of Barcelona’s faltering run of form as they made up ground on their rivals with a comfortable 2-0 win over Getafe to move within a point of the Blaugrana Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
