Arda Güler's Strike Shines in Tight La Liga Victory
When Real Madrid traveled to Getafe on April 23, few expected the big guns to be left sitting on the bench. With stars like Benzema and Bellingham getting a breather, Carlo Ancelotti sent out a group of young hopefuls and a smattering of regulars. The gamble paid off—barely. It wasn't flashy, but it got the job done, as Turkish midfielder Arda Güler struck midway through the first half to grab the only goal of the night and keep Madrid's title dreams burning.
For fans, the real story was Madrid’s ability to adapt. With Barcelona holding a seven-point lead at the top and showing no signs of letting up after their own slim win against Mallorca, the pressure was real. Ancelotti’s men couldn’t afford mistakes, and they knew it. From the whistle, Getafe brought that classic underdog energy—but Madrid’s composure, especially in defense, told you they were there for all three points.
Güler’s moment came thanks to a brief meltdown in Getafe’s back line. With just 21 minutes gone, a mix-up at the back gifted him the chance and he didn’t hesitate, coolly firing past David Soria. That was all the Madrid fans in the away section needed to find their voices. Not long after, Reinier almost doubled the lead, only for Soria to pull off a fingertip save. The rest of the first half was Madrid in control, with Vinícius Jr. and Reinier buzzing around and stretching the Getafe defense, even if goals were hard to come by.
Madrid’s Defensive Streak and Getafe’s Struggles Continue
Flip the script, and though Getafe showed discipline and effort, they just couldn’t find a way to make Lunin sweat. Their only real threat came in the 78th minute, when Coba forced Madrid’s keeper into action for a comfortable parry. That’s about as close as Getafe got, with the rest of their attacks breaking down before any serious damage could be done.
If you’re keeping score, Madrid's win marks their third straight clean sheet in La Liga. For a club that’s had some nervy moments at the back this season, shutting down opponents at this critical stage isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Araujo and Rüdiger anchored the defense, with Alaba captaining a backline that hardly put a foot wrong all night.
- Madrid lined up with Lunin between the sticks; Alaba, Araujo, and Rüdiger in defense; Lucas Vázquez, Camavinga, Sánchez, and Vallejo in midfield; and an attack led by Reinier, Vinícius Jr., and the match-winner Güler.
- Getafe, sitting 12th in the table and winless in three of their last four, started with Soria in goal, Djené, Aidoo, and Cuenca in defense, and hopeful attackers like Portu and Mayoral further up.
The final whistle told the story: Real Madrid knows how to grind results out. Three points, a clean sheet, and momentum for the Copa del Rey final. For Getafe, there’s more work ahead if they want to turn their mid-table slide around. Madrid’s title chase, though, is very much alive.
