Getafe secured a crucial 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad, with Bautista Mendez's early penalty proving decisive in a tightly contested La Liga clash at Reale Arena.
Real Sociedad dominated possession but could not break down a resolute Getafe defense. The visitors absorbed pressure throughout and capitalized on their limited chances to claim three vital points in the battle for European qualification.
Getafe struck early and decisively in the 14th minute when Mendez converted from the penalty spot. The clinical finish gave the away side a dream start and forced Sociedad to chase the game from the opening stages.
However, Sociedad's misery deepened just 15 minutes later. Jon Gorrotxategi turned the ball into his own net in the 29th minute, compounding the home team's problems. What had seemed like a recoverable deficit now looked like a mountain to climb.
The first half descended into a scrappy affair with both teams accumulating yellow cards. Abqar, Iglesias, and Marin all received cautions as the intensity increased. Sociedad created chances but lacked precision in the final third.
Sociedad entered the second half with renewed purpose, launching wave after wave of attacks. They generated 13 total shots compared to Getafe's five, yet David Soria proved equal to every test. The goalkeeper made three crucial saves to protect his team's advantage.
Real Sociedad's possession statistics told the story of their dominance. They controlled the ball for 66 percent of the match and completed 416 of 497 passes with 84 percent accuracy. Despite this control, their expected goals figure stood at just 1.52.
Getafe's defensive organization frustrated Sociedad throughout. Juan Iglesias led the away side's resistance with a rating of 8.0, making four tackles and keeping his team compact. Djene Dakonam and the entire backline remained disciplined under sustained pressure.
The final stages saw both teams tire visibly. Substitutions and tactical adjustments could not unlock Getafe's stubborn setup. Sociedad pressed forward relentlessly but could not find the breakthrough they desperately needed.
Late cautions flew in as frustration mounted. Boselli, Nyom, and Milla all received yellow cards for Sociedad in injury time, while Remiro joined them on the cautious list. The matches intensity never diminished despite the scoreline.
This result moves Getafe to 41 points in eighth place, while Sociedad remains seventh with 42 points. Both sides remain in contention for European football, but Getafe's away victory keeps their hopes alive. Sociedad must bounce back quickly to maintain their push for the top six.
Real Sociedad will look to recover from this disappointment in their next fixture. Getafe, meanwhile, can build confidence from a hard-fought away victory against one of La Liga's more attacking sides.
