Getafe 2-1 Real Madrid: Gutsy Geta come from behind to seal famous win

0-1 Higuaín 27'
1-1 Juan Valera 53'
2-1 Abdel Barrada 75'

Hosts turn on the style in the second half to pick up first win of the season...
... Visiting champions laid low despite enjoying a fine first period...

Real Madrid were stunned by giant-killing Getafe on Sunday afternoon after surrendering a Gonzalo Higuaín lead to the home outfit, who leveled through Juan Valera before Abdel Barrada netted the winner fifteen minutes from time.

The visitors were by far the better team in the first half and should have taken the lead after nine minutes when Mesut Özil almost sprung Cristiano Ronaldo clean through in the box, only for David Abraham to sweep in and clear at the last moment.

Six minutes later the Blancos produced the most beautiful play of the afternoon, Özil and Ronaldo trading passes several times around the area before the young German was free to shoot. However, the ex-Hamburg man inexplicably hit the woodwork when faced with an open goal.

Midway through the first half Gonzalo Higuaín finally found the net for Madrid, getting on the end of Ángel di María's excellent through ball, waltzing past Abraham and Alexis, and placing the ball past Miguel Moyà.

Geta had Moyà to thank four minutes from the break after an excellent stop from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was once again fed by the tireless Özil.

For the hosts the end of the first period was a relief, and they began the second half with renewed vigour. This paid off in short order as the brilliant Abdel Barrada's free-kick found Juan Valera free in the box to score his first goal since his strike against Barcelona in the 1-0 win of November 2011.

Fifteen minutes from time Abdel Barrada himself was on the scoresheet, capitalising on good play from Adrián Colunga and some sloppy Real Madrid defending to poke home past the helpless Iker Casillas.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a clear opportunity as the match entered stoppage time, and it was all Madrid could do to wonder how they threw away their first half superiority.

Meanwhile Getafe can look back on another famous win over one of the 'Big Two', this one comprising their first three points of the season. This places them above Real Madrid in the table, a situation that, while unlikely to last, is certainly welcome.

Geta travel north next week to face Deportivo in La Coruña, while Real Madrid have until Wednesday to recover for the Super Copa second-leg clash with Barcelona, José Mourinho's side looking to overturn a 3-2 disadvantage from the first match at Camp Nou.

Getafe: Moyà; Juan Valera, Abraham (Lopo 50), Alexis, Miguel Torres; Míchel, Xabi Torres; Abdel Barrada (Mehdi Lacen 84), Lafita, Diego Castro; Miku (Adrián Colunga 69). Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Callejón 73); Lass Diarra (Benzema 58), Xabi Alonso; Di María (Morata 79), Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Higuaín.

Sevilla 2-1 Getafe: Not enough as the Nervión men do the needful

1-0 Fazio 34'
2-0 Negredo 38' (pen.)
2-1 Alexis 50'

Getafe fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on La Liga's opening day.

Hosts Sevilla dominated early proceedings and took the lead through Federico Fazio in the 34th minute, the Argentine taking advantage of a misjudged clearance job from Miguel Ángel Moyà and heading into an unguarded net.

Four minutes later Juan Valera conceded a controversial penalty, José Antonio Reyes making the most of an innocuous challenge to earn the spot-kick. Álvaro Negredo converted easily to double Sevilla's advantage.

Just after the restart, former Sevilla defender Alexis Ruano pilled one back for the visitors with a close-range finish from a Pedro León corner.

Getafe coach Luís García threw on Abdel Barrada and Adrián Colunga in an attempt to chase the game, but ultimately Sevilla saw out the game in relative comfort.

Geta welcome champions Real Madrid next weekend in their home opener.

Sevilla: Diego López; Cicinho, Fazio, Spahic, Fernando Navarro; Trochowski (Javi Hervás 83), Gary Medel, Rakitic; Jesús Navas, Negredo (Babá 67), Reyes (Manu del Moral 75). Getafe: Moyà; Juan Valera, Abraham, Alexis, Miguel Torres; Míchel (Xavi Torres 46), Mehdi Lacen (Adrián Colunga 74); Pedro León, Lafita, Diego Castro (Abdel Barrada 52); Miku.

Sheikh your booty

Per Marca, Getafe's foreign entanglements in the Middle East are left looking weirder and weirder by the day.

Let's rewind a bit: two seasons ago club president Ángel Torres cemented a deal with the Royal Emirates Group to launch 'Getafe Team Dubai', a finance bid that was due to take effect this summer, clear the club's debt, and presumably turn the Azulones into the next Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

Jump back to the present day and we find that Sr. Torres has fallen for a scheme only very slightly more elaborate than a 419 scam. To gain €10m of investment from a wholly fictional Arab oligarch, all he had to do was send roof of solvency to a gang seemingly fronted by, of all people, a Brazilian waiter in Catalonia. Proof of solvency, needless to say, took the form not of a bank statement or affadavit, but a wad of cash - a wad which the notoriously frugal Torres will be mourning as we speak.

Does this mean the entire REG deal is fishy? Some sources have quickly leapt to that conclusion* but it doesn't seem clear-cut at all. Today REG responded with a public statement, indicating that their 'commercial agreement' has nothing to do with the sheikhdown, and that if the waiter and his pals invoked their boss' name, they'll see them in court.

So, 'Getafe Team Dubai' still seems to be something of a reality - after all, what would the 'commercial agreement' mean otherwise? but presumably Torres will be a little more careful about whom he trusts in future.

*UPDATE: As imply that the photo in their article is one of Torres with the fake Sheikh. In fact, so far as we can tell, that is the genuine sheikh, Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum, and his agreement with Getafe is quite real - at least according to Arabian Business.

Getafe 5-1 Sevilla: Blues come back to stroll to victory

0-1 Negredo 19'
1-1 Miguel Torres 35'
2-1 Mehdi Lacen 49'
3-1 Miku 63'
4-1 Pedro Ríos 69'
5-1 Miku 71'

The best second half showing in years sees the home crowd delighted...
... Stunning performance from Pedro Ríos sees Getafe remain in the Primera in style...

Getafe's Liga survival is now mathematically secure after a Pedro Ríos masterclass helped the Madrid side to their 43rd, 44th, and 45th points of the season at home to hapless Sevilla.

The hosts went behind early on but quickly equalised and from there it was a clear path to a victory that sees the Azulones, far from worrying about relegation, in fact dreaming about European football with four league games left to go.

Both sides opted for their usual 4-2-3-1, with Getafe giving reserve stopper Álvaro Arroyo his first Liga start at right-back, Miguel Torres moving to the centre in the absence of ineligible loanee Alexis. Meanwhile the midfield was identical to that which overran Sporting 2-0 at home a fortnight prior.

The Andalusian outfit were virtually unchanged from their 3-0 win over Zaragoza at the weekend, meaning that ex-Coliseum captain Manu del Moral lined up behind lone forward Álvaro Negredo. The only alteration was the rotation of goalkeeper Andrés Palop, who was replaced by Javi Varas.

Getafe should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when lone forward Miku got on the end of Pedro Ríos' low cross from the right, but from three yards out the Venezuelan put the ball over when it was easier to hit the target.

The hosts were made to pay ten minutes later as Álvaro Negredo sprung the offside trap to score a beautiful overhead kick from an unmarked position, Piotr Trochowski providing that killer cross from the inside-right channel.

Miguel Torres of all people was able to level the scores 10 minutes from the interval: both Julien Escudé and Coke made a hash of dealing with Pedro Ríos' corner and it was all the ex-Real Madrid man could do to bundle home from close range.

Sevilla's defence was again left wanting as that man Pedro Ríos played another killer cross, this time from the left flank, only for the unmarked Gavilán to head straight into Varas' arms just before the break.



Just after the break, Manu del Moral - although offside - was able to get on the end of a deep cross and chest the ball down for Antonio Luna, but the winger inexplicably fire wide.

He was punished mere seconds later when Mehdi Lacen drove home a twenty-yarder - his first Liga goal for the club - into the bottom right corner to give Getafe the lead. Instrumental in the buildup once more was the indomitable Pedro Ríos, who had one of his best games in the blue shirt.

The best was yet to come. Just past the hour mark, Ríos capped an incredible performance with a mazy run into the right-hand side of the box, where he pulled the ball back for the unmarked Miku to fire home first time.

Indeed, Pedro Ríos had the sort of showing that called on a goal to cap it off, and the 31-year-old didn't disappoint when he headed in at the far post from a Mané cross in the 69th minute.

He wasn't finished yet: just two minutes later, the Jérez-born winger went on a mazy run from the right wing to the middle, where he slotted a through ball to Miku to score Geta's fifth of the evening.

That was the end of his contribution as he was subbed off - to predictably and justifiably wild acclaim - for Abdel Barrada in the 76th minute.

With four games left survival is now guaranteed, meaning that the dream of European football is on. Incredibly Geta are one of five sides sitting just one point off the second Europa League slot. Getafe have the chance to stay with that pack as they travel to Granada next weekend.

Getafe: Moyà; Arroyo, Cata Díaz, Miguel Torres, Mané; Míchel, Mehdi Lacen; Pedro Ríos (Abdel Barrada 76), Diego Castro, Gavilán (Casquero 82); Miku (Güiza 78). Sevilla: Javi Varas; Coke, Fazio, Escudé, Fernando Navarro (Babá 56); Medel (Campaña 79), Trochowski; Jesus Navas, Manu del Moral (Rakitic 72), Luna; Negredo.

Getafe 1-0 Real Sociedad: Late own-goal brings the joy back to Madrid

1-0 Iñigo Martínez (og) 80' 

Getafe leave it late but prevail in an even encounter at the Coliseum...
... Fortunate own-goal could see Geta end the weekend 11 points clear of the drop...

Getafe banished the demons of last year's 4-0 reversal in this fixture by taking a somewhat fortunate three-point haul from Real Sociedad.

Although the visitors had the best of the first half, the Azulones enjoyed more of the second and were rewarded with the game's only goal ten minutes from time.

La Real were unfortunate not to take the lead after twelve minutes when a long ball over the top found the Geta defence at sixes and sevens, but with Miguel Ángel Moyà far off his line and supine, Asier 'Illara' Illaramendi could only roll the ball wide when faced with goal.

From there the visitors' dominance only grew. Geta held most of the possession but could do little with it other than invite pressure, which the visiting side time and again used to trouble Moyà.

Early in the second period Alexis had the best chance of the match when he met an excellent through pass over the top from Mehdi Lacen, but the on-loan stopper fired off-target when one-on-one with Claudio Bravo.

It seemed as though a draw was inevitable, but ten minutes from time Abdel Barrada swept a cross through from the right flank to Dani Güiza. The striker in turn shot on goal, where Bravo's parry deflected off the head of Iñigo Martínez and into the net.

That turned out to be the winner, and as such Getafe took another massive step on the road to survival. With 35 points the Madrid outfit are 11 clear of the dropzone, albeit with Racing Santander in 18th yet to play.

Last year saw an unusually high amount of points - 44 - required for survival: Geta can now realistically aim slightly higher and thus avoid a last-day attempt at la permanencia.

Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Rafa (Miguel Torres 42), Alexis, Mané; Míchel, Lacen; Pedro León (Casquero 84), Abdel Barrada, Diego Castro; Miku (Güiza 66). Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Demidov, Martínez, Cadamuro; Illarramendi, Bergara (Elustondo 15); Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza (Agirretxe 83), Griezmann; Carlos Vela (Ifrán 71).

Villarreal 1-2 Getafe: Overdue win comes with a hint of luck

0-1 Diego Castro 5'
1-1 Nilmar 45' (pen.)
1-2 Abdel Barrada 72'

Getafe take their chances and Villarreal don't, making for an away win...
... Borja Valero's first ever VCF penalty miss helps Geta to first win since January...

Getafe finally got back to winning ways after edging a fraught thriller at the Madrigal on Monday night. Had the hosts taken their chances the outcome could have been quite different, but coach Luis García will be delighted to see his side show both guts and luck to take all three points back to the capital from the Valencian Community.

With both Pedro León and Diego Castro starting it didn't take long for Getafe to show attacking intent, and they duly went ahead after just five minutes. It was Diego Castro who netted after poor defending from Villarreal and good work from Abdel Barrada and Miku in the buildup.

Defensive midfielder Míchel nearly gave away the lead twelve minutes later after conceding a needless penalty against Jaume Costa, but Borja Valero's poor penalty was saved by Miguel Ángel Moyà.

After more pressure something had to give, and it came on the stroke of half-time. Cata Díaz's poorly-timed challenge on Nilmar in the box saw the Yellow Submarine earn their second penalty of the game, and the Brazilian made no mistake from the spot.

Villarreal were superior for much of the second half, but their profligacy was summed up in the 68th minute when the hitherto-excellent Cani made a storming run down the right, leaving the Getafe back line in his wake, before shooting into the side netting from point-black range.

Five minutes later, and against the run of play, Abdel Barrada gave Getafe their second lead of the game. The young Parisien slid home from close range after Pedro León played the first-time pass from Diego Castro's excellent build-up.



With this result Getafe earn some much-needed respite from the relegation battle, moving into 13th place with 32 points. Villarreal, meanwhile, remain 17th on 27, just three points ahead of Racing and Sporting in the dropzone.

Villarreal: Diego López; Ángel López, Gonzalo (Marco Ruben 61), Zapata, Jaume Costa; Marcos Senna, Bruno; Cani, Borja Valero, Camuñas; Nilmar (Joselu 69). Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Cata Díaz, Alexis, Mané; Míchel, Lacen; Pedro León (Casquero 74), Abdel Barrada, Diego Castro; Miku (Dani Güiza 69).

Getafe 1-3 Málaga: Hosts can't hold their lead against big-spending boquerones

1-0 Diego Castro 42'
1-1 Eliseu 57'
1-2 Toulalan 81'
1-3 Cazorla 90+2'

Getafe flirting with the dropzone after two points dropped...
... Margin of victory flatters Málaga but their strikes were beautiful...

Quality told as Getafe failed to upset the odds against European contenders Málaga at the Coliseum on Saturday evening, the visitors taking all three points courtesy of three beautiful goals.

Overall Geta can be pleased with their performance but they must ask themselves why they failed to take their chances, especially early in the match.

Indeed, Miku spurned a host of opportunities in the first quarter hour, although Salamón Rondón had chances of his own at the other end.

After some thrilling end-to-end action it was Getafe who drew first blood. The on-form Juan Valera made the difference with a superb run down the right flank before crossing to Diego Castro, who swept home from eight yards.

Málaga brought out the heavy guns at the break, introducing Joaquín and Eliseu to energise the flanks. This took just twelve minutes to bear fruit: Eliseu equalised neatly following his fellow substitute's corner, Getafe left to rue not burying more than one of their twelve shots on goal taken already.

The visitors began to take control of the match and were duly rewarded through Jérémy Toulalan nine minutes from time. The French international struck clean and true, his shot from 25 yards grazing Miguel Ángel Moyà's post en route to the winner.

With just one minute to go Natxo Monreal appeared to handle the ball inside his own box, but referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco waved play on.

Santi Cazorla added insult to injury with the game-killing third mere seconds before full-time. The ex-Villarreal man saw Moyà off his line and from almost 45 yards lobbed the 'keeper to seal all three points.

Getafe are in deep trouble as they end the weekend just five points clear of the relegation area, and with Granada and Villarreal still to play this matchday Geta could end as low as 17th prior to round 27's vital clash at the Madrigal against Villarreal.

Getafe: Moyà, Valera, Cata Díaz, Alexis, Mané; Abdel Barrada (Sarabia 62), Juan Rodríguez, Lacen; Diego Castro (Pedro León 80); Miku (Arizmendi 68), Güiza. Málaga: Caballero; Jesus Gámez, Weligton, Mathijsen, Monreal; Toulalan, Recio (Joaquín 46); Cazorla, Fernández (Demichelis 70), Isco (Eliseu 46); Rondón.

Real Betis 1-1 Getafe: Betis the better side, but Geta good for a point

1-0 Jorge Molina 51'
1-1 Chechu Dorado (og) 53'

Getafe come from behind in somewhat fortunate circumstances...
... It wasn't a one-sided fixture but Betis didn't dominate either...

An entertaining but still somewhat even game at the Benito Villamarín saw Getafe leave with a welcome point against a Real Betis side who had the better chances on the day.

The first half saw plenty of effort from both sides but relatively few clear-cut opportunities. Rubén Castro had the best chance on the quarter hour mark after good work from Jefferson Montero, but left Miguel Ángel Moyà untested by firing over from the middle of the area.

Mere minutes after the break Jorge Molina gave the hosts the lead. The journeyman striker finished off a neat team move involving Montero and Juanma with a confident finish near the post that left Moyà stranded.

But just three minutes later Geta were level. Chechu Dorado put through his own net with a poor clearance after Dani Güiza got on the end of Juan Valera's cross from the right.

Eight minutes from time the Béticos should have taken the lead as the visiting defence stood static at a fine ball over the top. However Rubén Castro opted to shoot rather than squaring the ball to Roque Santa Cruz, who stood afront an open goal, and Moyà pulled off a fine save to deny the greedy striker.

Returning centre-back Alexis, newly signed on loan from Sevilla for his second spell at Geta, made a substitute appearance a minute from time, but no goal followed and in any case the Azulones did not merit the victory.

Getafe thus finish the week five points above the dropzone ahead of next Sunday's visit of Málaga.

Betis: Fabricio; Nelson, Paulao, Chechu Dorado, Nacho; Juanma (Jonathan Pereira 71), Beñat, Iriney (Cañas 68), Jefferson Montero; Rubén Castro, Jorge Molina (Santa Cruz 59). Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Cata Díaz, Miguel Torres, Mané; Abdel Barrada (Diego Castro 46), Casquero, Lacen, Gavilán (Sarabia 67); Miku (Alexis 89), Dani Güiza.

Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Getafe: Easy win for Vallecas men in local derby

1-0 Michu 34'
2-0 Diego Costa 63'

Getafe simply didn't show up and duly paid the price - with both eleven and ten men...
... Rayo took their chances in a game that they dominated ...

Getafe may have held the giants of Real Madrid to a single goal last week, but this time around the comparative minnows of Rayo managed double that tally in far easier circumstances as the visitors found themselves completely overwhelmed in Vallecas.

The hosts were by far the better side in the first half and perhaps should have had an advantage ten minutes in when Miguel Moyà appeared to fell Piti in the box, but referee Álvarez Izquierdo saw nothing.

Rayo deservedly took the lead ten minutes before the break when Michu was left unmarked in the box to fire a rebounded effort past Moyà after a cross from José Casado. There were suspicions of offside but nonetheless the goal had been coming.

Geta's chances of a fightback were all but extinguished on the hour mark when Míchel was issued a straight red card for what Izquierdo interpreted as a foul preventing clear goalscoring opportunity for Diego Costa - a dubious decision.

And it fell to Diego Costa himself to completely end the game just three minutes later with a neat header from a cross by José Maria Movilla.

Thus Rayo leapfrog Getafe in the standings, going a point ahead of the south side outfit who remain on 27 points.

Next week the second half of Getafe's season begins with the visit of Espanyol to the Coliseum.

Rayo: Joel; Tito, Arribas, Pulido, Casado; Javi Fuego, Movilla; Piti (Lass Bangoura 65), Michu, Armenteros (Diego Benito 86); Diego Costa (Tamudo 72). Getafe: Moyà; Valera (Rafa 69), Cata Díaz, Lopo, Mané; Diego Castro (Lacen 67), Míchel, Casquero (Arizmendi 78), Barrada; Miku, Dani Güiza. Red card: Míchel 60' (Professional foul)

Levante 1-2 Getafe: Dani Güiza makes the difference in Valencia

0-1 Güiza 31'
0-2 Diego Castro 79'

Lucky Getafe make their chances count against wasteful Levante...
... Third win in the last six propels the Azulones well into the top half ...

Getafe rode their luck but left Valencia with all three points, stretching their current unbeaten run to six games. The Granotas passed up a host of excellent chances in both halves and were twice punished by Getafe's quickfire attacks through the middle, rendering Levante's Champions League challenge increasingly fragile.

The hosts, still hoping for an unlikely Champions League place, started with their tails up - perhaps with something to prove to ex-coach Luis García, who now sits in the Getafe dugout. Pedro Botelho was especially impressive, cutting in from the left to both provide Arouna Koné and try his own luck, but with no end product. Meanwhile the visitors were largely penned back.

Despite their lack of chances, Getafe took the lead in the 31st minute. A superb ball over the top from Javier Casquero found Dani Güiza, who atoned for his poor performance last week with a goal halfway between sublime and ridiculous. His control to bring down the long pass was beautifully reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp's strike against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup; his shot straight at Gustavo Munúa somewhat less so. But the ball deflected off the Uruguayan 'keeper, hit Güiza in the shins, and rolled goalwards for the opener.

Nonetheless Levante continued to dominate heading into the break and beyond. Ten minutes after the restart Arouna Koné, teed up by Sergio Ballesteros, so nearly scored with an overhead kick from close range, but his effort was fortunately bound for the woodwork.

Yet the day went Getafe's way when eight minutes from time substitute Diego Castro pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area to score into an empty net. The chance began when once again Levante's high line was punished by a pass over the top for Dani Güiza, who once again prompted the deflection that led to the goal.

Getafe were left nervous in the final minute as Alberto Lopo saw red for a handball in the box, Rubén Suárez dispatching the resulting penalty.

But it was too little too late for the hosts. Getafe, despite holding less of the ball and having fewer chances, left with another priceless victory, cementing their place in the top half ahead of the visit of Real Madrid on Saturday evening - a match they will contest without both Lopo and the injured Rafa, leading to difficulties in the centre of defence.

Levante: Munúa; Javi Venta, Ballesteroes, Del Horno, Juanfran; Xavi Torres (Iborra 82), Farinós; El Zhar (Rafa Jordá 79), Rubén Suárez, Botelho (Óscar Serrano 69); Koné. Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Lopo, Cata Díaz, Masilela; Abdel Barrada, Juan Rodríguez, Casquero (Lacen 70), Gavilán (Diego Castro 59); Dani Güiza (Miguel Torres 84), Miku. Red card: Lopo 90' (handball)

Racing Santander 1-2 Getafe: Comeback victory gives Getafe breathing space

1-0 Stuani 13'
1-1 Gavilán 25'
1-2 Miku 83'

Despite early stumbles, Getafe fight back to secure a deserved victory...
... Mistakes from both sides prevented further goals ...

Getafe showed character to fight back for victory from a goal down at Racing Santander, but coach Luis García will be all too aware that on another day the visitors' profligacy may have been punished.

Nonetheless the Azulones did recover from a poor start to secure a vital three points, giving them respite from a tight relegation race and also ensuring that Geta have taken an impressive 11 points from the last 15.

Racing took a deserved lead in the 13th minute when Rafa inexplicably played a fast pass across his own goalmouth, where former Geta man Adrián González was waiting to play it to Christian Stuani for an easy finish. Rafa was withdrawn through injury shortly afterwards in what will surely rank as the stopper's worst day of his career.

Five minutes later Getafe should have levelled. Abdel Barrada sprung a world-class through ball to Dani Güiza, but when faced one-on-one with Toño Rodríguez he ran the ball straight into the 'keeper's arms.

The visitors were back on level terms midway through the half. Barrada launched a fine cross from the right, and with the Racing defence bunched in the middle of the six-yard box, the ball fell to Jaime Gavilán unmarked at the far post to gently lift home his first goal of the season.

On the half hour mark Getafe had another great chance through Güiza: the veteran forward got a fine touch on it this time but Toño - having an excellent game - was equal to the task. Exemplifying an equal half, Stuani then missed a sitter at the other end.

Six minutes into the second half some great close interplay in the box presented Gavilán and then Güiza with excellent chances from close range, but Toño once again proved the saviour for an uncoordinated Racing defence.

Although Getafe were having the best of the play, Cata Díaz sprung them from jail on the hour mark when Álvaro seemed set to steer goalwards unmarked after a corner.

Still, the visitors were clearly the better side in the second half, a combination of great work from Toño and a lack of composure in the box from Getafe keeping the score at 1-1.

Dani Güiza was the biggest culprit in terms of chances missed, and Geta almost paid the price twelve minutes from time when Lautaro Acosta was put through on goal, only for Moyà to pull off a vital save.

Finally the pressure paid off eight minutes from time as Getafe, taking advantage of Racing's wide line, hit on the break. Diego Castro clipped the ball into the middle, Marc Torrejón made a hash of his interception, and all that was left was for Miku to control and then shoot from twelve yards to give his side the lead.

Getafe switched off after taking the lead and nearly paid for it several times in the closing minutes, but ultimately held on for a merited win.

Next for the Madrid outfit is a trip to Valencia to meet Levante, who despite a recent dip in form remain in the top four.

Racing: Toño; Álvaro, Torrejón, Bernardo, Cisma; Papa Diop, Colsa (Tziolis 46); Arana (Kennedy 65), Adrián, Acosta; Stuani (Jairo 52). Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Cata Díaz, Rafa (Lopo 16), Barrada (Diego Castro 79), Míchel, Casquero, Gavilán (Pedro León 61'); Dani Güiza, Miku.

Real Zaragoza 1-1 Getafe: Late fightback preserves unbeaten record

1-0 Lanzaro 38'
1-1 og (Paredes) 78'

Disappointing showing against the basement boys - but one point is brought home...
... Getafe now haven't lost in four matches ahead of the grudge clash at Santander...

Getafe came from behind to secure a draw against last-placed Real Zaragoza, whose impressive home support and fighting spirit was not enough to end their shocking winless run that now stretches to three months.

The Azulones have every reason to be disappointed with the outcome, but had they been offered a draw at half time there is no doubting that coach Luis García would have accepted.

Zaragoza's fans - in the midst of a vocal protest against the club's leadership - were out in force to see their side start strongly, with Ivan Obradovic bringing out the best in Miguel Moyà early on after a corner.

Ten minutes from the break a fine Dani Güiza header similarly tested Roberto at the other end.

But mere seconds later, Luis García's corner found Maurizio Lanzaro, whose excellent headed effort was too much for the visiting 'keeper to deal with.

Getafe tried to fight back as Javier Casquero moved forwards and outwards to support Abdel Barrada, but the first half ended without another goal.

After the break the visitors threw men forward, introducing Diego Castro and the back-from-injury Pedro León in an attempt to overload the Aragonese outfit.

Zaragoza, for their part, also tried to break forward, but they were left heartbroken as twelve minutes from time Pedro León's corner was attacked by Rafa and the home defence, at sixes and sevens, suddenly had the ball in their own net through ex-Getafe man Javier Paredes.

Next Saturday brings a trip to Cantabria to meet Racing Santander in what is usually a fraught encounter.

Zaragoza: Roberto; Lanzaro, Da Silva, Paredes, Obradovic (Edu Oriol 90); Zuculini (Abraham 84), Pintér; Rubén Micael, Luis García, Lafita (Aranda 72); Helder Postiga. Getafe: Moyà; Valera, Cata Díaz, Rafa, Masilela; Pedro Ríos (Diego Castro 58), Míchel, Casquero (Pedro León 71), Abdel Barrada; Dani Güiza (Juan Rodríguez 90), Miku.

Getafe 0-0 Athletic Bilbao: Lively second half brings no goals

Winter shutdown ends with a game of two halves at the Coliseum...
... After a dull first period the hosts couldn't take their chances in the second...

Getafe failed to make it three games in a row but at least retained  their recent unbeaten record courtesy of a 0-0 draw with a fairly nondescript Athletic Bilbao side in Madrid on Sunday afternoon.

The first period saw few opportunities, with Miku's early header being saved well by Gorka Iraizoz and Andoni Iraola failing to connect properly with an Iker Muniain cross within the first fifteen minutes.

From there the match slowed down significantly heading towards the break, with only a booking for Dani Güiza - awarded after a foul on Fernando Amorebieta - enlivening a dull encounter.

Seconds after the break Miku drove over from close range as Athletic started the half looking vulnerable to a Pedro Ríos cross from the right, giving the home fans hope of more exciting moments to come.

This proved to be the case as Geta put on a real show in the second half, pausing for breath only when Athletic had a Javi Martínez goal - also involving the freshly-uninjured Fernando Llorente - correctly ruled out for offside after a deep free-kick.

Athletic were in fact finding themselves frustrated by Geta's high line, and at the other end Miku continued to pose a danger until the dying minutes, his header twelve minutes from time proving a tough one for Gorka.

Of course Miguel Moyà had a few tasks to complete at the other end, but it was clear that Getafe were on top and that only a lack of cutting edge prevented their taking all three points.

Thus Getafe will end the weekend mid-table and just a scant few points above the dropzone. Next week brings a trip to Zaragoza, who are dead last in the Liga standings.

Getafe: Moyà, Valera, Cata Díaz, Rafa, Masilela; Pedro Ríos (Gavilán 71), Míchel, Casquero (Lacen 77), Abdel; Miku, Dani Güiza (Diego Castro 82). Athletic Bilbao: Gorka Iraizoz; Iraola, Javi Martínez, Amorebieta, Aurtentxe; Iturraspe, De Marcos (San José 54); Susaeta, Ander, Muniain (Ibai 83); Toquero (Llorente 64).

Note: Peña Getafense Escocia is now back from its winter hiatus, which was due to vacation.