Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga thanks to Eder Militao’s early header against Getafe, marking a functional performance from the reigning Spanish and European champions without every really getting into a high gear against their city neighbours.
Los Blancos had suffered a shock defeat in this fixture last season but needed only three minutes to take the lead this time. Militao rose highest at the near post from a Luka Modric corner, flicking his header beyond the reach of goalkeeper David Soria.
Real continued to create a number of semi-chances that didn’t particularly bother Soria, while Getafe went very close to equalising midway through the first half. Fabricio Angileri’s fierce drive narrowly flew wide of the far post, with Borja Mayoral also close to turning it in.
Despite their overall dominance, the visitors weren’t as clinical as Carlo Ancelotti would have like. But they caught a clear sight of goal in the closing stages of the first half when Federico Valverde crossed to an unmarked Rodrygo, whose header was well held by Soria.
Still before half-time, Vinicius Junior thought he had won a penalty when he was fouled by Luis Milla. But a second look from Antonio Miguel Lahoz on the advice of VAR saw it overturned when the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play in the build up.
Real should have doubled the lead immediately after half-time, with a melee in the Getafe area seeing efforts from Rodrygo and Luka Modric blocked either side of an Aurelien Tchouameni shot saved by Soria as the home goal led a charmed life.
Andriy Lunin made his first meaningful save not long after to deny former Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena low to his left, while Real were soon denied a goal by VAR at the other end when Rodrygo, whose chipped finish was neat and clever, was later found to be offside.
As the second half progressed there was a feeling that Real were starting to drift in the game, with clear chances drying up and mistakes in possession creeping in. Valverde did test Soria from distance that saw the ball briefly squirm loose, while the Uruguayan even tried a speculative effort from deep inside his own half that wasn’t a million miles away from hitting the target.
There was still time for substitute Marco Asensio to try his luck from distance, rippling the top of the net as it flew just over, but a single goal to nil was how it finished.
GK: Andriy Lunin – 6/10 -…
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