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Real Madrid left it late to find a stoppage-time winner against Getafe to win 2-1 in La Liga on Saturday, September 2.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made two changes from the side that beat Celta Vigo 1-0 last week. Star winger Vinicius Jr suffered a hamstring injury in that game, which meant loan signing Joselu started alongside Rodrygo in attack. Luka Modric replaced Federico Valverde for the second switch.
Getafe, meanwhile, were coming off a 1-0 win of their own. They were spearheaded by former Los Blancos man Borja Mayoral, who scored from the spot last week.
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It was Mayoral who stunned the hosts in the 11th minute, giving the away side an unlikely lead. A mistake at the back saw the former Real Madrid man pounce on the ball and slot it home calmly past Kepa Arrizabalaga to make it 1-0.
A few minutes later, the hosts were given a penalty after Jude Bellingham was tripped in the box. However, a check from VAR showed that the contact was minimal and the decision was overturned.
Getafe keeper David Soria was then called into action twice, making two fantastic saves from Modric and Joselu.
Real Madrid finally found the leveller early in the second half. It was Joselu involved once again, placing the ball past Soria after a cross was cleared.
The hosts continued to apply the pressure in search of a winner. After coming off the bench in the second half, Toni Kroos thought he made it 2-1 but his effort from the edge of the box hit the post and his rebound was kept out by Soria.
A few minutes later the woodwork denied Los Blancos again after Dani Carvajal's clever piece of work down the right flank flummoxed Soria but his effort was denied by the frame of the goal.
The game went into stoppage time and Jude Bellingham came up clutch in the nick of time for Real Madrid. A long-range effort from Lucas Vazquez was spilled by Soria and the English midfielder made no mistake in turning the rebound home.
Bellingham continued his sensational run of form as Madrid kept their perfect run in La Liga alive. Here are five talking points from the game.
#5 Toni Kroos' impact off the bench
The German midfielder has started only one of Real's four La Liga games this season. Coming on early in the second half for Eduardo Camavinga, the veteran made a real difference, creating chances for himself and his teammates.
He finished with seven key passes, two shots on target and was close to scoring a goal after hitting the woodwork.
#4 One poor moment undid David Soria's great day
Getafe goalkeeper David Soria was having a fantastic outing. The Spaniard made save after save to thwart Real's chances of winning the game.
He made a reflex save from Luka Modric's header before diving full stretch to prevent Joselu from equalising. However, he was unable to cleanly gather Valverde's effort late in the game and Bellingham made him pay.
#3 A poor outing for Fran Garcia
The left-back played his first game for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, it quickly became a day to forget for the 24-year-old. His careless pass at the back directly led to Getafe's opener and generally did not look good in the first period.
He was taken off at half-time and David Alaba was put at left-back for the rest of the game.
#2 Jude Bellingham continues his hot start
Bellingham became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score in his first four games for the club. The midfielder had four goals in the previous three games including the winner against Celta Vigo last week.
He stepped up once again when needed, finishing calmly in stoppage time to give his side all three points.
#1 Real Madrid maintain their perfect run
Los Blancos have made it four wins out of four to begin their 2023-24 La Liga campaign. While they have not looked perfect throughout these fixtures, they have managed to win four games in a row.
Bellingham has excelled in his new role with more attacking freedom. Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad next after the international break.
