MADRID: Spanish champions Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 to move second in La Liga on Sunday with Kylian Mbappe finding the net after a difficult week, but also missing other presentable chances.

The French striker has been criticised for his form of late, but after Jude Bellin­gham opened the scoring from the penalty spot, Mbappe slotted home a well-taken second at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe wasted three other clear opportunities but Real were able to move within touching distance of leaders Barcelona. Real have 33 points from 14 matches, one point behind rivals Barca, who have played a game more.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with Mbappe’s performance after he was subdued performance in Real’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday when he failed to trouble their defence and missed a second-half penalty.

The 25-year-old, who moved to the Bernabeu from French champions Paris St Germain on a free transfer in June, became Real’s joint-top scorer in the league this season alongside Vinicius Jr. with eight goals after his first-half strike.

“He was active, dangerous and scored a great goal which was important to control the rest of the game. He was active and that’s what we want from him,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“The fans understand better than anyone the moment of the team and the players. They supported Mbappe after Anfield because it was the right thing to do.”

Real were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Getafe right back Allan Nyom brought down centre back Antonio Ruediger in the box as the ball was being delivered from a corner.

Bellingham stepped up to take the penalty instead of Mbappe and made no mistake as he knocked the ball straight down the middle to easily beat goalkeeper David Soria.

It did not take Mbappe long to double the lead as he struck in the 38th minute, taking a brilliant ball from Bellingham and whipping it in from outside the box to score his 10th goal of the season across all competitions for Real.

Mbappe looked lively, especially in the second half, and came closest to scoring again when he made a superb run through on goal and went around Soria but his effort went just wide.

Real, who spurned a couple of other chances to extend their lead, were thoroughly dominant and held 70% of the possession against Getafe.

Getafe rattled the woodwork twice, including when midfielder John Patrick’s shot beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the closing minutes of the game.

Real face Athletic Bilbao in midweek, hoping to build on their run of three consecutive La Liga wins.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries [but] we are there fighting, battling,” said Ancelotti. “What gives me the most confidence is that we had a good attitude again, concentration, we had spirit. Bit by bit the problems we’ve had, we will solve, and in the meanwhile we will be there fighting.”

Bilbao climbed to fourth after Oihan Sancet hit a second-half brace to help the Basques come from behind and beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1.

Randy Nteka sent the hosts ahead in the first half with a fine clipped finish and goalkeeper Augusto Batalla made a string of good saves.

However, Ernesto Valverde’s side found their way back thanks to substitute Sancet’s double.

Villarreal, fifth and level on 26 points with Bilbao, were held to a 2-2 draw by Girona after Ladislav Krejci scored an equaliser deep into second-half added time with an outstanding volley from range for the visitors.

Girona moved up to seventh, four points behind Villarreal.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024