Atletico Madrid edged Getafe 1-0 in a fiery La Liga clash, with Nahuel Molina's early strike proving decisive at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone's Atletico secured a hard-fought victory, solidifying their position in the top four. Heading into the match, Atletico sat fourth with 54 points, looking to bounce back from recent mixed form. Getafe, in ninth with 35 points, aimed to continue their strong run of two consecutive wins.
The home side wasted no time in making their mark. Just eight minutes into the game, Nahuel Molina found the back of the net. The Argentine international delivered a crucial early goal, giving Atletico a quick advantage.
Following the opener, Atletico Madrid controlled possession. They dictated the tempo, moving the ball confidently around the Getafe half. Getafe struggled to break out and mount sustained attacks against the well-organized hosts.
The first half remained tight despite Atletico's dominance. Getafe’s defense, marshaled by David Soria in goal, withstood further pressure. Soria made several key saves to keep the deficit at a single goal heading into the interval.
Getafe coach José Bordalás Jiménez introduced Kiko Femenia at halftime, hoping to inject more attacking impetus. The change aimed to alter Getafe’s fortunes as they searched for an equalizer. Atletico, meanwhile, aimed to maintain their slender lead.
The second half exploded with drama in the 55th minute. Getafe's A. Abqar received a straight red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Atletico’s A. Sorloth also earned a yellow card in the same incident, highlighting the match's rising tension.
Playing with ten men, Getafe bravely dug in. They defended resolutely, denying Atletico clear-cut opportunities to extend their lead. The numerical disadvantage forced Getafe to prioritize defensive solidity, making a comeback even harder.
Simeone responded with multiple substitutions around the 66th and 73rd minutes, bringing on players like Julián Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. These changes aimed to exploit the extra man and find a decisive second goal. However, Getafe’s stubborn resistance held firm.
The latter stages saw a flurry of yellow cards for both teams, including one for Molina in added time. This underscored the intense nature of the contest. Getafe pushed forward in desperation, but Atletico’s defense, led by the solid José María Giménez, stood tall.
Atletico Madrid finished with an Expected Goals (xG) of 1.49, compared to Getafe's 1.21, showcasing a more threatening attacking display. Atletico registered 16 total shots with 5 on target, holding 66% possession. Getafe managed 7 shots, 3 on target, despite their numerical disadvantage.
The victory ensures Atletico Madrid remains firmly in fourth place in La Liga. They continue their push for a Champions League spot. Getafe stays ninth, but this defeat halts their recent good form, making their European aspirations more challenging.
