With a goal in the 95th minute, Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid a 2-1 victory against Getafe on Saturday, preserving Los Blancos’ unbeaten start to the La Liga season.
The England international won the derby match and three points with his fifth goal in four outings. This was Madrid’s first game without injured attacker Vinicius Junior.
In the first game played under cover at the Santiago Bernabeu, former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral had given the visitors the lead. Joselu, the Brazilian who replaced Mayoral, had leveled the score for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Madrid played its first three games of the season away from home as the Santiago Bernabeu stadium underwent renovations.
It made it possible to complete the retractable roof, and on Saturday it closed as rain fell on the Spanish city, but the players remained dry.
Mason Greenwood, a striker for Manchester United on loan, was not included in Getafe’s lineup after his arrival on Friday.
The Red Devils had suspended the forward since January 2022 due to accusations of abuse, even though the charges were later withdrawn by the prosecution.
For the visitors, Mayoral got out in front, and in an attempt to maintain his position on the sidelines, he moved fast to put the visitors ahead.
After 11 minutes, the striker scored a goal by nipping in to pick up the ball, round Kepa Arrizabalaga, and capitalize on a strong reverse feed from Fran Garcia.
After Bellingham fell under pressure from Carles Alena, Madrid believed he had earned a penalty, but a VAR review by the referee resulted in the spot kick being canceled.
Before they ever made contact, the Englishman had begun to crumble.
David Soria of Getafe made a great stop on a diving header from Luka Modric to preserve his team’s advantage intact for the duration of the second half, if not much longer.
Getafe was unable to clear Modric’s enticing cross with the outside of his foot, and Joselu scored his first goal for Real Madrid from close range.
Vinicius, who strained his hamstring last week and will be out for more than a month, was replaced in the starting lineup by the Spain international.
In the second half, Madrid’s veteran midfielder Toni Kroos picked up his game and almost put the team ahead. He struck the bar with a low drive and then forced Soria to save again with a rebound attempt.
Madrid applied further pressure, with Dani Carvajal shooting against the upright before Soria, ever the inspiration, produced another outstanding one-handed save to deny Joselu.
But the single error made by the goalie ultimately cost his club, as Bellingham scored the goal as soon as he was able to deflect a long-range effort from Lucas Vazquez.
Five of Madrid’s eight La Liga goals this season have come from the former Dortmund player, filling the vacuum created by the departure of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.