LaLiga: Real Madrid edge Getafe to close gap on Barcelona

Arda Güler scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid edged Getafe 1-0 to cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to four points.

After their Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal last week, pressure mounted on Carlo Ancelotti’s side to deliver domestically.

Ancelotti made six changes to the lineup with Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in mind. Jude Bellingham began on the bench, while Kylian Mbappé was sidelined with an ankle issue.

The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Güler rifled home following a swift Real counterattack. Although Getafe goalkeeper David Soria got a hand to the shot, he couldn’t keep it out.

Endrick, making his first La Liga start, nearly doubled the lead after being played through by Vinicius Jr, but Djene Dakonam made a crucial goal-line clearance after Soria’s initial stop.

Despite flashes of quality, Madrid lacked a clinical edge and were nearly punished after the break. Getafe substitute Álvaro Rodríguez went close with a header, and Mauro Arambarri missed a golden opportunity when he dragged a shot wide from a promising position.

Real Madrid had chances when Vinicius Jr. tested Soria again, choosing to shoot rather than pass to the better-positioned Bellingham or Brahim Díaz.

The match was briefly paused late on after Real midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni raised an issue with the referee, prompting a message over the stadium PA urging fans to refrain from racist language.

In a dramatic finish, Thibaut Courtois preserved the win with a brilliant stoppage-time save to deny Rodríguez.

The result sees Real Madrid close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to four points, with five games left, including a decisive El Clásico on May 11. Getafe stayed 12th, safely mid-table but well off the European places.