Real Madrid News: Getafe end Los Blancos' 15-game unbeaten run

For the first 20 minutes, Real controlled the game but Getafe held on for the remainder of the first half and were comfortable in the second.

Action during the La Liga match between Getafe and Real Madrid. (Image: Twitter/Real Madrid)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Jan 2, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Real Madrid‘s 15-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Sunday as they fell to relegation-threatened Getafe 1-0 in La Liga. After Eder Militao’s early error allowed Enes Unal to score the winner at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Madrid’s stunning setback provides new hope to the distressed pursuing pack in Spain. If Sevilla, Madrid’s closest rivals, win against Cadiz on Sunday, they will be five points behind the leaders with a game in hand. Getafe are in 16th place after winning only their fourth league game of the season. Madrid has grabbed control of the Spanish title race after a fantastic run of form that featured 10 wins in a row and 15 games without defeat, with their last setback coming on October 3 against Espanyol.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team, on the other hand, seemed out of sorts in their first game of 2022, and struggled to even threaten Getafe’s goal aside from a brief stint in the first half. At halftime, Eden Hazard came in but failed to energise his team, while Karim Benzema was particularly quiet up front. Madrid certainly missed out on Vinicius Junior’s penetration after he tested positive for Covid-19. The devastated Italian on the bench bowed over and dropped his head after a Toni Kroos free-kick floated harmlessly out of play in the second half, encapsulating Ancelotti’s melancholy.

Important win for Getafe

Getafe had gone eight games without a win earlier in the season, but came in on the back of a five-game winning streak under Quique Sanchez Flores, which included victories against Cadiz and Osasuna. After the usually trustworthy Militao was caught napping, Unal gave them the lead in the ninth minute. The Brazilian attempted to clear on the edge of his own area but took an extra touch, tussling with Unal, who snatched the ball and finished past Thibaut Courtois.

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For the first 20 minutes, Madrid controlled, with Luka Modric becoming increasingly important, but Getafe held on for the remainder of the first half and were relatively comfortable in the second. Hazard and Marcelo were both introduced at half-time, but neither had much of an impact, with Hazard failing to register a single shot on target. Benzema’s drive was blocked, Casemiro’s half-volley was saved, and Mariano Diaz’s header went wide, but Getafe deserved to win.