Los Blancos main attacking duo played key roles as Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised to a comfortable win
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe recovered from their recent woes and both got on the scoresheet as Real Madrid beat a scrappy Getafe 2-0 on Sunday.
The duo, after a morbid showing midweek in the Champions League, found their attacking footing, both scoring in the first half in an ultimately comfortable win that saw Madrid draw within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Los Blancos struggled to create early on, the absence of Vinicius Jr rather limiting their attacking edge. They were handed an opener by a silly piece of defending, though, as Antonio Rudiger was dragged down in the box before a Madrid corner. The referee pointed to the spot, and Bellingham rolled home the ensuing penalty.
The second came shortly before half-time, Mbappe curling a wonderful effort in off the post following some fine set up play from Bellingham.
Getafe, for their part, offered some more ideas after the break, testing Thibaut Courtois on a couple of occasions before Chrisantus Uche and John Patrick both rattled the post.
Still, nothing quite came off. Madrid could have made it three or four, but misses from first Rodrygo and then Mbappe kept things close. In the end, though, two was enough.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Made a few nice saves in the second half to hold the visitors off.
Lucas Vazquez (6/10):
Got forward quite a lot, and offered a valuable extra body in attack. Put in some good defensive work in the final minutes, too.
Raul Asencio (8/10):
Assured at the back, with a couple of nice interventions. Kept things tidy otherwise. He fits right in.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
Won the penalty that gave Madrid the lead. Turned easily to give Getafe their best chance, but otherwise solid.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Not much of the Getafe attack came down his side. Barely involved until late on when some spaces opened up for him to get forward.
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Dani Ceballos (7/10):
Barely misplaced a pass, and progressed the ball rather well. His best game in a while.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Busy in a water-carrying role of sorts. Held things down and got forward in bursts, which was pretty much all he had to do.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Absolutely everywhere. Won the ball back with aplomb, fought for everything, scored one, and set up another. Replaced at the break after reportedly feeling dizzy following a clash with the 'keeper.
Brahim Diaz (6/10):
Hardly touched the ball in the first half, but had more space in the second. Can he and Rodrygo play together?
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Rodrygo (6/10):
Drifted around a bit in an attempt to get involved, but nothing really came off for him. Hesitant, at times.
Kylian Mbappe (7/10):
Did a whole lot of nothing before curling in a wonderful goal. Better in the second half, although he really should have finished with three. Has eight on the season in La Liga now.
AFPSubs & Manager
Arda Guler (6/10):
Perhaps a bit of a surprise that he didn't start. Didn't have too much of an impact.
Luka Modric (7/10):
Brought on to control things for the last 30 minutes, which he did very nicely.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
Set up arguably his strongest side given the litany of injuries. His side were in control throughout, grabbed a couple of good goals, and chased down the leaders. Not perfect, but better.
