Guler strikes as Los Blancos close gap on Barcelona ahead of Copa del Rey final
Arda Guler scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid ran out narrow 1-0 winners against Getafe to cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to four points with five games remaining.
Real meet their Catalan rivals in the final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday knowing that their hopes of catching Barca in the title race is very much still on courtesy of a hard-fought victory at Estadio Coliseum on Wednesday.
Guler’s strike proved to be enough on an evening when Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti made six changes to the team – including starting the likes of Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger on the bench – with one eye firmly focussed on the showdown with Barcelona.
⏸️ @GetafeCFen 0-1 @RealMadridEn
⚽ 21′ @10ArdaGuler
👉 @Emirates pic.twitter.com/Vm2zyAaZUT— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 23, 2025
The 20-year-old Turkish international gave Madrid the lead after 21-minutes when his fine strike from the edge of the box found the back of the net.
Brahim Diaz appeared to have squandered a good chance before the ball found its way out to the young midfielder whose fierce effort got a touch from David Soria in the Getafe goal but the shot proved too powerful.
Ten minutes later, Endrick, making his first league start in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe, looked certain to double his side’s lead after being played in by Vinicius Junior.
However, David Soria’s touch this time proved decisive and Djene was able to clear the ball off the line.
It had been a largely dominant half from the visitors, but Ancelotti’s men had an almighty let-off with just over 15-minutes remaining.
Alvaro Rodriguez skipped past two Madrid players before finding an unmarked Mauro Arambarri in the box. But the Uruguayan could only drag the ball wide with the goal gaping and a glorious chance for Getafe went begging.
The Real boss could be seen visibly agitated on the sidelines as a number of heavy tackles came in from the hosts late on – and some alleged offensive chanting towards Dani Ceballos – which sparked several scuffles on the pitch.
Eduardo Camavinga appeared to be a victim of one such challenge and the Frenchman hobbled off in stoppage time as Real were forced to see out the final few minutes with ten men.
Thibaut Courtois then saved well with seconds remaining as the visitors held on to emerge victorious from what was a closely-fought and, at times fiery, affair.
