Real Madrid moved within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona as goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe handed Los Blancos a 2-0 win against Getafe at Santiago Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham gave the 36-time La Liga champions the lead within 30 minutes as Antonio Rudiger was brought down in the box by Getafe’s Allan Nyom, under the nose of the referee.
Despite some debate about the penalty taker with Kylian Mbappe, it was Bellingham who stepped up with a hop, skip and jump to slot calmly down the middle and send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Mbappe didn’t have to wait long for a goal of his own as eight minutes later, Bellingham threaded through an inch-perfect ball for Mbappe, whose composed finish from the outside of the box went in off the post to secure his eighth La Liga goal of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were denied a second penalty when Mbappe’s shot hit a Getafe player’s hand, with VAR intervening to overturn the decision, whilst the Frenchman was unable to double his tally with a handful of missed opportunities.
Next up, Real Madrid face Athletic Club on Wednesday before a trip to Girona on Saturday in La Liga. Meanwhile, Getafe are in Copa de Rey action midweek against fourth-tier side Orihuela before a battle with fellow strugglers Espanyol.
Talking Point – Hints of Mbappe but lack of clinical finish
Whilst his goal would have quietened doubters, as the opportunities came, Mbappe was unable to double his goal tally and could have easily had more against Getafe.
Whilst we can’t probably look too much into Bellingham being the chosen penalty-taker with Carlo Ancelotti indicating he’s rotating the responsibility this season, there were still plenty of chances for Mbappe.
His goal was Mbappe-esque and what Real Madrid would have expected to see a lot more of after his arrival but there were times throughout when Mbappe would have expected the ball to find the back of the net.
Player of the Match – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
He was taken off as a precaution at half-time but within the first half, he added a goal and assist to his already promising record this season.
Calm and collected on the spot, he slotted past Getafe’s David Soria in goal, before playing an inch-perfect pass to thread through Mbappe – a sight many fans will want to see more of. If only he had stayed on longer.
Player Ratings
Real Madrid: Courtois 7, Vasquez 8, Asencio 7, Rudiger 7, Garcia 7, Valverde 8, Ceballos 8, Bellingham 9, Rodrygo 7, Mbappe 8, Diaz 7 Subs: Guler 7, Modric 7
Getafe: Soria 6, Iglesias 6, Duarte 6, Alderete 6, Berrocal 6, Rico 6, Nyom 4, Milla 6, Arambarri 6, Perez 6, Rodriguez 6 Subs: Uche 5, Sola 5, Gonzalez 5, Santiago 5, da Costa 5, Patrick 7
Match Highlights
29′ PENALTY FOR MADRID It was bound to happen. It’s a Real Madrid corner. Allan Nyom once again is marking Antonio Rudiger and brings him down in the box again. The referee was all over it. It’s a penalty. Who will take it?
30′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 GETAFE (BELLINGHAM 30′) A hop, skip and jump as Jude Bellingham slots it calmly down the middle and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.
38′ GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 GETAFE (MBAPPE 38′) That was beautiful. Jude Bellingham sends a inch-perfect ball through for Mbappe, he needs one touch to get the ball away from the defender before shooting just outside the box. It bounces off the post into the goal.
50′ PENALTY FOR MADRID There were no appeals so the decision seemed to catch everyone off-guard but it looks like there was a handball in the box.
51′ NO PENALTY Getafe have been let off the hook after a VAR review.
75′ MBAPPE CAN’T BELIEVE HE’S MISSED THAT ONE That couldn’t have been any closer as Mbappe runs through on goal and sees his effort go so narrowly wide of the post.
83′ GETAFE RATTLE THE WOODWORK They must have thought they’d got a goal back as John Patrick drives a shot which beats Courtois and is only denied by the woodwork.
90+6′ SURELY MBAPPE SHOULD HAVE GOT HIS SECOND Mbappe creates this goal, he drives into the space, finds Arda Guler who lays it on a plate for Mbappe, who is unable to convert from close range.