Shaping Victory with Stellar Performance: Joselu’s Sensational Brace Helps Real Madrid Reclaim Top Spot

Real Madrid are back on top of La Liga after a 2-0 win over neighbours Getafe. Joselu opened the scoring after getting his head to Lucas Vazquez’s cross early on before adding his and his side’s second after the break. A brilliant sweeping move found the on-loan Espanyol frontman on the edge of the penalty area to drill home. Madrid are two points clear of surprise package Girona.

Joselu centre-forward of Real Madrid and Spain celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on February 1, 2024 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics

Image credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid eased past Getafe thanks to a Joselu brace to go top of La Liga.Vinicius Junior had Real Madrid’s first real chance of the evening after 13 minutes. The Brazilian was released with a long ball over the top which set him away to go 1v1 with goalkeeper David Soria but the 30-year-old keeper was equal to Vini’s effort on goal.

Madrid turned the screw early on and took a deserved lead after 15 minutes. Lucas Vazquez fired in a great cross from the right-hand side and Joselu was on hand to power his header down into the ground and past Soria to give Los Blancos the lead.Real went close to making it 2-0 after 39 minutes and once again it was a combination between Vazquez and Joselu. Vazquez had time and space on the right-hand side to fire in a low cross which Joselu was able to meet first time but his effort was pushed round the post brilliantly by Soria.Jose Bordalas made a triple change at half-time in an effort to get his Getafe side into the match after a rather tepid first-half display.Getafe emerged more on the front foot in the second half and had their first real chance after 52 minutes when Mason Greenwood struck the post with a solid effort.Real Madrid made it 2-0 after 57 minutes when Joselu grabbed his second of the game. Vini Jr found Joselu with a good ball and the Madrid forward was able to take a touch before rifling an effort home past Soria.Carlo Ancelotti’s side came within inches of making it 3-0 after 65 minutes. Joselu ran through to go 1v1 with goalkeeper Soria but opted to unselfishly pass the ball to the left-hand side to Vini Jr who looked certain to score with the Getafe goalkeeper already on the floor but his effort was kept out by the stretched out arm of Soria.Getafe struck the post for a second time after 73 minutes, this time top scorer Borja Mayoral fired a vicious effort which cannoned back off the post.Real Madrid established complete control in the last 15 minutes, moving the ball around expertly to see out the match and go top of the table.

TALKING POINT – ONE DOWN, FIVE TO GO

Tonight’s victory away at Getafe may have taken Real Madrid to the summit of La Liga, two points clear of Girona, but it’s only the first of six matches across February that could be crucial to Real Madrid’s season.Carlo Ancelotti called this clash against Getafe a “key” match, both for the present and for the season as a whole. He knew his side had to win tonight in order to go two points clear at the top of the table, especially when considering how packed Madrid’s schedule is throughout the month of February.In just three days, they welcome Madrid rivals Atletico to the Santiago Bernabeu. Six days after that, they are visited by title rivals Girona, the same side they leapfrogged tonight thanks to their win over Getafe.The big games don’t stop there though, three days after that they travel to Germany to face Leizpig in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, before finishing off the month with matches against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.Tonight was a good victory, but Ancelotti will see it purely as one down, five to go in what looks to be a hugely decisive month for the Spanish giants.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JOSELU (REAL MADRID)

The 33-year-old was a constant threat all evening, he was always an option for those out wide, making smart runs in and around the penalty area. He took his first goal brilliantly, heading down into the ground to beat Soria and his second goal was even better, receiving the ball with a great first touch before rifling home an effort.He should have had an assist also in the second half, laying the ball onto Vini Jr instead of shooting but the Brazilian couldn’t find the back of the net.

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