BELLINGHAM SCORES ICE-COLD PENALTY IN REAL MADRID'S WIN OVER GETAFE

Bellingham and Mbappé Lead Real Madrid to 2-0 Win Over Getafe

Real Madrid secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday afternoon, narrowing the gap on Barcelona in the La Liga title race. The Catalan side’s loss to Las Palmas just a day earlier provided an opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, and they capitalized effectively.

The first goal came in the 30th minute when Antonio Rüdiger won a penalty after being fouled by Allan Nyom inside the box. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid's standout midfielder, stepped up to take the spot kick amid a brief debate over whether Kylian Mbappé might take it. Displaying trademark composure, Bellingham executed a hop-skip technique, striking confidently down the middle as Getafe goalkeeper David Soria dived the wrong way.

Real Madrid dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Bellingham’s goal gave them the control they needed before the interval. Unfortunately, the Englishman was substituted at halftime due to a reported neck issue, raising concerns ahead of the team’s upcoming fixtures.

The second goal came early in the second half, courtesy of a perfectly timed assist from Bellingham’s replacement. Eight minutes after the restart, Mbappé doubled Madrid’s lead with a stunning effort. Latching onto a precise pass, the Frenchman struck from outside the box, his shot clipping the post on its way in. It marked Mbappé’s eighth La Liga goal of the season and cemented Real Madrid’s dominance over their Madrid rivals.

This win marked Real Madrid’s third consecutive matchday of closing the gap on Barcelona. With the victory, Ancelotti’s side sits poised to challenge for the top spot as the season progresses.

Looking ahead, Real Madrid face a packed schedule, beginning with a clash against Athletic Club on Wednesday, followed by a challenging away trip to Girona on Saturday. Meanwhile, Getafe will shift focus to the Copa del Rey, where they face fourth-tier Orihuela midweek, before returning to league action against Espanyol.

Real Madrid’s performance against Getafe underscored their depth and resilience, with Bellingham and Mbappé once again proving instrumental. The victory not only boosts their title aspirations but also serves as a statement of intent as the campaign heats up.