With a 1-0 victory over nine-man Getafe on Sunday, Kylian Mbappe extended his scoring streak to 11 straight games to reclaim the top spot in La Liga.
After rivals Barcelona’s narrow victory over Girona on Saturday gave them a brief advantage over the Spanish, Xabi Alonso’s side now has a two-point lead over the Clasico on Saturday.
In the 80th minute, Mbappe decisively decide the game after Allan Nyom was dismissed a minute after Getafe had already fought off Madrid. As Getafe’s final chapter unraveled, Alex Sancris was also dismissed.
Vinicius Junior, a star of Brazil, was Alonso’s starting lineup for the Champions League match against Juventus on Wednesday and Barca’s upcoming visit in mind.
With both of Getafe’s red cards for fouls on him, the winger proved to be crucial as a second-half substitute.
Vini had a significant impact, Alonso claimed to the media this morning.
Coming up against Getafe was never easy, according to the coach, “it wasn’t the prettiest game, but we did what we had to do.”
Mbappe made his return from the Getafe Coliseum stadium after an ankle issue prevented him from playing in a France World Cup qualifier earlier in the week.
The French forward had scored again in his previous ten goals for the club and country.
We are pleased with Kylian’s direction because he is being decisive, Alonso said.
Before Getafe gained a foothold in the game, Mbappe twice came close to causing much trouble for the visitors before they were stopped.
Only after Jude Bellingham’s excellent work at the end of the first period did Madrid start to improve in attack, with Soria saving from Rodrygo Goes.
Before half-time, Fede Valverde smacked a strike across the face of the goal from a powerful David Alaba free-kick.
Vinicius started to worry the hosts as Alonso sent him on in the second half, who resorted to fouls to stop the Brazilian.
Madrid remained unbeaten after Bellingham fed Mbappe, who headed off target before slinging a free-kick inches wide.
READ ALSO: Maguire leads Man United past Liverpool at the end of the season as pressure mounts on the slot.
Getafe see red
When Getafe substitute Nyom inutilely knocked down Vinicius with his arm less than a minute later, the game changed.
Real Madrid took the lead just as the game was about to end.
Mbappe was just onside when Arda Guler turned well before firing past Soria and the post for his tenth league goal of the season, which was top both in La Liga and the Champions League.
Jose Bordalas’ side had nine men on hand as Getafe continued to self-destruct, and Sancris was given a second yellow card after Vinicius was convicted of another unnecessary foul.
After Vinicius, whom Getafe fans booed, gave him a cheeky scoop over the defense, Alvaro Carreras fired wide.
The hosts had a fantastic chance to equalize in stoppage time, but Thibaut Courtois saved from Englishman Abu Kamara with his knee.
Thibaut did his job, according to Alonso, “we should not give away this chance.”
Before Madrid’s opener, Getafe coach Bordalas said he didn’t think Nyom deserved to be let go.
The coach of Getafe said, “Nyom’s red card changed the game.” It’s not a red card for me, but it’s at most a yellow one.
Elche, a newly-promoted team, also stayed strong with a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao, which placed them seventh, one place above their Basque rivals.
With a 3-0 victory over Levante, Rayo Vallecano moved into 10th place, while Real Sociedad’s 10-man Celta Vigo held to a late 1-1 draw.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply