Nine-man Getafe fall to Mbappe as Real Madrid return to La Liga summit

Kylian Mbappe’s second-half strike secured Real Madrid a hard-fought 1–0 victory over nine-man Getafe on Sunday night, restoring Los Blancos to the top of La Liga after a dramatic clash at the Coliseum.

The match turned chaotic in the final quarter-hour when Getafe saw two players sent off within seven minutes. Substitute Allan Nyom was dismissed less than a minute after coming on for elbowing Vinicius Junior. Shortly after, Mbappe broke the deadlock, finishing clinically through the goalkeeper’s gloves after racing onto a precise through ball from Arda Güler. Getafe’s woes deepened in the 84th minute when Álex Sáncris picked up a second yellow card and was also sent off.

Real Madrid were far from their fluent best in the first half, struggling to convert possession into clear chances. They grew stronger after halftime, ultimately producing 23 attempts on goal — 10 on target — while limiting Getafe to just one shot on goal.

Mbappe had several early opportunities, including an angled strike in the 8th minute and a long-range shot moments later, both denied by the Getafe keeper. David Alaba also came close with a curling free-kick just before halftime.

Manager Xabi Alonso’s introduction of Vinicius Junior in the second half added energy to the attack, and the breakthrough finally arrived after Nyom’s reckless foul left Getafe a man short.

Despite being reduced to nine men, the hosts nearly stole a late equalizer when Abou Kamara found space in stoppage time, but Thibaut Courtois came off his line to make a crucial save and preserve Madrid’s lead.

With eight wins from nine matches, Real Madrid climbed back to the top of the table with 24 points, two ahead of Barcelona, who sit on 22. The two giants will face off next Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu in the season’s first El Clásico — a match that could prove pivotal in the title race.