Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid: Arda Guler's stunner seals 3 points for Los Blancos

Real Madrid have kept themselves in the La Liga title race after picking up an important 1-0 victory over Getafe at the Coliseum.

Match Report

Arda Guler's superb first-half strike earned Real Madrid a nervy 1-0 win at Getafe on Wednesday, moving back to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Hansi Flick's Blaugrana had recorded their own 1-0 win against Mallorca 24 hours earlier, meaning Carlo Ancelotti's men needed these three precious points to keep their title hopes alive.

Guler's 20th-minute effort from the edge of the box proved enough after Ancelotti decided to rest several key players ahead of Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barca.

Madrid still dominated much of the match but failed to capitalise on opportunities to extend their lead, with a goal-line clearance denying Endrick.

The narrow lead set up a tense finale, and a 91st-minute scramble saw Peter Federico and Juanmi fail to force the ball over the line.

Thibaut Courtois bravely intervened to keep Madrid in the title picture with five matches to play.

Data debrief: Late drama almost Madrid's undoing

The full-time expected goals figures weigh heavily in Getafe's favour, yet that is primarily due to one manic incident in the first minute of stoppage time.

More than half of Getafe's 2.32 xG was accounted for by the chances that fell to Peter and Juanmi, with Courtois scooping the first away and then diving in front of the second.

The hosts tallied five Opta-defined 'big chances' across the full game, but that was Madrid's narrowest escape in a contest of fine margins.

Ancelotti's side are really scraping by to stay within reach of Barca, with this their third straight 1-0 success.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Highlight from Getafe vs Real Madrid

2' Terrats lays inside to Milla from the left but his effort from just inside box!

6' Valverde runs but he half-volleys over the far post from a tight angle!

12' Terrats shoots but his effort from a central position flies high over the bar!

14' Guler goes for goal from 20 yards, but it’s deflected for another corner!

16' Deep ball back in finds Mayoral unmarked at back post, but striker heads wide!

18' Vinicius breaks into the box and squares for Garcia whose first effort is block!

21' GOAL! Arda Guler slams the follow up in at the near post! Getafe 0-1 Real Madrid

32' Endrick and Vinicius one-two, Endrick chips Dakonam but he clears off the line!

38' Brahim's powerful shot is parried to Vinicius, whose stretch shot easily saved!

58' Rodriguez heads onto the roof of the net from eight yards!

64' Bellingham comes on for Endrick!

67' Vinicius's great run and shot from edge of box goes wide, possibly deflected!

69' Yellow Card! Tchouameni booked for late with a tack!

73' Rodrygo replaces Vinicius for Real!

Line-ups

Getafe XI: Bernat, Luis Milla, Dakonam, Omar Alderete, David Soria, Arambarri, Duarte, Mayoral, Juan Iglesias, Juan Berrocal, Ramón Terrats

Subs: Juanmi, Perez, Álex Sola, Jiri Letacek, Bertuğ Yıldırım, Peter Federico, Álvaro Rodríguez, Yellu Santiago, Coba da Costa, Ismael Bekhoucha

Real Madrid XI: Alaba, Courtois, Vazquez, Valverde, Brahim, Fran García, Tchouameni, Vinicius, Güler, Raúl Asencio, Endrick

Subs: Modric, Rudiger, Vallejo, Ceballos, Lunin, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Bellingham, Gonzalo García, Fran González