Kylian Mbappé extended his remarkable scoring streak to 11 consecutive matches as Real Madrid reclaimed top spot in La Liga with a 1–0 victory over nine-man Getafe on Sunday.
After Barcelona briefly moved ahead with a narrow win over Girona on Saturday, Xabi Alonso’s side restored their two-point advantage before next weekend’s El Clásico.
Getafe held firm until Allan Nyom, sent on as a substitute, was dismissed just a minute later for an off-the-ball foul. Mbappé capitalised swiftly, striking in the 80th minute to secure Madrid’s win. Alex Sancris also saw red as Getafe unravelled in the closing stages.
With a Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday and Barcelona’s visit looming, Alonso opted to rest Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, who later made a decisive impact as a substitute. Both Getafe red cards resulted from fouls on the forward.
“Vini had a great impact — we told him this morning he could be so important,” Alonso told reporters. “It was a demanding match; coming here to face Getafe is never easy. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but we did what we had to do.”
Mbappé returned to action after missing France’s World Cup qualifier with an ankle issue and continued his fine form, having scored in his previous ten appearances for club and country.
“We’re very pleased with Kylian’s performance; he’s proving decisive,” Alonso said.
The Frenchman twice came close before Getafe found their rhythm, frustrating Madrid’s attack for much of the first half. Late in the opening period, goalkeeper David Soria denied Rodrygo after good work from Jude Bellingham, and later saved a fierce David Alaba free-kick. Fede Valverde also flashed a shot wide.
Alonso introduced Vinícius after the break, and the Brazilian immediately unsettled the home defence, drawing a series of fouls. Bellingham set up Mbappé, who shot off target before curling a free-kick narrowly wide as Madrid pressed for a breakthrough.
The game turned when Nyom was dismissed seconds after entering the pitch for striking Vinícius. From the resulting play, Arda Güler threaded a clever pass to Mbappé, who timed his run perfectly and fired past Soria via the post for his 10th league goal of the season — keeping him top of both the La Liga and Champions League scoring charts.
Getafe’s frustration deepened when Sancris received a second yellow card for another rash challenge on Vinícius, leaving the hosts with nine men. Vinícius then created a chance for Álvaro Carreras, who missed narrowly after a delightful chip over the defence.
Despite being two men down, Getafe nearly equalised in stoppage time when Abu Kamara’s close-range effort was superbly saved by Thibaut Courtois.
“We shouldn’t have allowed that chance, but Thibaut did his job,” said Alonso.
Getafe coach José Bordalás, however, criticised the officiating. “Nyom’s red card changed the game,” he said. “For me, it wasn’t a red — yellow at most.”
Elsewhere, newly promoted Elche continued their impressive start to the season with a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao, placing them seventh — one spot ahead of their Basque rivals. Rayo Vallecano climbed to 10th after a 3–0 win at Levante, while struggling Real Sociedad salvaged a late 1–1 draw at 10-man Celta Vigo.