Kylian Mbappe’s remarkable goalscoring form continued on Sunday night as the French forward netted the decisive goal in Real Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Getafe, propelling Los Blancos back to the top of the La Liga standings.
The narrow win came just 24 hours after archrivals Barcelona had briefly overtaken them with a hard-fought win over Girona.
But with El Clasico looming next weekend, Madrid responded with a gritty performance in the south of Madrid to regain a two-point cushion.
Despite missing their talisman for France’s World Cup qualifier midweek due to an ankle knock, Mbappe returned to the lineup and made the difference once again, registering his 11th straight game on the scoresheet for club and country.
The clash at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez was tight and combative from the outset, with Getafe managing to keep Real Madrid at bay for much of the contest.
The turning point, however, arrived in the 74th minute when substitute Allan Nyom, less than a minute after entering the pitch, recklessly struck Vinicius Junior off the ball and was promptly shown a straight red card.
Madrid wasted no time capitalizing. Just seconds after play resumed, Arda Güler threaded a pass into Mbappe, who timed his run to perfection.
The Frenchman calmly cut inside and fired low into the corner via the post — his 10th league goal of the season.
Getafe’s woes only deepened minutes later when Alex Sancris received a second yellow for another foul on Vinicius, reducing the home side to nine men and ending any hopes of a comeback.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, mindful of Wednesday’s looming Champions League clash against Juventus and next weekend’s showdown with Barcelona, opted to rest Vinicius Junior, starting the Brazilian on the bench.
His introduction in the second half, however, proved pivotal. Not only did Vinicius draw both red card fouls, but his pace and direct running shifted the momentum decisively in Madrid’s favour.
“Vini made a real difference,” Alonso said post-match. “We told him this morning he might only play half an hour, but that half hour could be crucial. And it was.”
Mbappe’s scoring streak has become a storyline of its own.
His goal in Getafe extended his personal run to 11 matches with at least one goal, a stretch that includes fixtures in both La Liga and the Champions League.
He now leads the scoring charts in both competitions.
“We’re very pleased with Kylian. He’s playing with confidence, he’s decisive, and he gives us that edge in tight matches like this, “‘said Alonso.
The 26-year-old had earlier gone close on two occasions, while other efforts from Rodrygo, David Alaba, and Fede Valverde were either blocked or parried by Getafe goalkeeper David Soria, who was excellent despite the result.
Despite playing with nine men, Getafe nearly salvaged a point in stoppage time.
English teenager Abu Kamara broke free and forced a sharp stop from Thibaut Courtois, who reacted quickly to deny the hosts an unlikely equaliser.
Alonso praised his goalkeeper’s awareness: “That moment shows why Thibaut is one of the best.
He had almost nothing to do all game, but stayed switched on and made the save when it mattered.”
Speaking after the final whistle, Getafe boss José Bordalás disputed the red card decision that preceded Madrid’s goal.
“I don’t think it was a straight red for Nyom. It changed the game,” he insisted. “We were compact and disciplined until then.”
Elche held Athletic Bilbao to a goalless draw, keeping their impressive return to the top flight on track and lifting them to seventh place.
Rayo Vallecano climbed into the top ten with a convincing 3–0 win at Levante.
Real Sociedad needed a late goal to rescue a 1–1 draw against Celta Vigo, who had earlier been reduced to ten men.
As Real Madrid prepare for a crucial week facing Juventus midweek and Barcelona next Sunday, Alonso’s side will take comfort from a narrow but vital win that keeps their La Liga title challenge firmly on course.
