Nine-Man Getafe Fall as Mbappé Strikes Late

Late strike and Getafe’s red-card chaos lift Los Blancos to victory

Kylian Mbappé once again proved to be Real Madrid’s saviour, scoring the decisive goal in a tense 1–0 win over Getafe that sent his team back above Barcelona to the top of La Liga.

It was a frustrating evening for Madrid — full of missed chances, stubborn defending, and late drama — until the French superstar finally broke the deadlock against nine-man Getafe.

A Slow Start and a Silent Protest

The match began in unusual fashion, as both teams stood still for the opening 15 seconds in protest against La Liga’s decision to stage a match in the United States later this year. The crowd watched on in confusion before the game burst into life.

Real dominated early possession, testing Getafe goalkeeper David Soria several times. Mbappé saw two efforts denied, and Soria made a brilliant double save before half-time — first from David Alaba’s free-kick and then from Federico Valverde’s powerful rebound.

Despite controlling the game, Madrid couldn’t find a way through, and frustration began to creep in.

Getafe’s Discipline Meltdown

Getafe had defended bravely, but everything fell apart in the final 15 minutes. Substitute Allan Nyom entered the pitch in the 79th minute — and lasted just 44 seconds. The veteran full-back was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Vinícius Jr., leaving his team a man down.

Real Madrid instantly took advantage. Arda Güler threaded a perfect pass through the middle, and Mbappé raced clear before calmly sliding the ball past Soria for the winner.

Moments later, Getafe’s hopes disappeared entirely when Alex Sancris received a second yellow card and was also sent off, reducing the hosts to nine men.

Late Drama and Courtois’ Heroics

Even with two players down, Getafe nearly stunned Madrid in stoppage time. In the sixth minute of added time, substitute Abu Kamara — on loan from Hull City — found space in the box, but Thibaut Courtois produced a stunning save to preserve the win.

It was a moment that summed up Real’s night — dominant yet far from comfortable.

Mbappé and Madrid March On

For Madrid, the victory was vital. It moved them back above Barcelona, who had briefly taken the top spot a day earlier. Jude Bellingham, making his second start since shoulder surgery, showed flashes of his creativity, while Vinícius Jr. remained a constant threat.

With a Champions League clash against Juventus coming up next, Xabi Alonso’s side will hope to carry this momentum forward.

For Getafe, it was a night of regret — two red cards, missed chances, and a cruel reminder of what happens when discipline disappears against one of Europe’s elite.