Getafe welcomed Real Betis to Madrid on Sunday looking to continue their impressive start to the La Liga season.
The home side had a three-goal lead at the interval following a brace from Pedro Leon and a smart finish from Adrian Colunga after 27 minutes.
An own goal from Rafa in the early stages of the second period allowed Betis to move onto the scoresheet, but Getafe managed to hold firm to secure all the points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome Betis. The home side made a fairly slow start to the season, but they have found some serious form in recent weeks with nine points from their last four games moving them into the top eight.
It has been a struggle for Betis thus far, however, with Pepe Mel’s side winning just two of their first seven matches, with eight points leaving them in 12th spot in the table. That said, they have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions and enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over high-flying Villarreal last time out.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Betis have won two of the last five, with Getafe also claiming one win and the other two ending in a share of the spoils. Last season’s match in this stadium was an enthralling one as Betis claimed all the points in a 4-2 win. Betis also won in this stadium in January 2011.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Moya; Alexis, Rafa, Lago, Arroyo; Borja, Leon, Castro, Mosquera; Sarabia, Colunga
REAL BETIS: Sara; Chica, Paulao, Amaya, Nacho; Xavi, Matilla, Verdu; Nosa, Juanfran, Molina
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Getafe XI this evening with Adrian Colunga and Pablo Sarabia both selected in the final third. Betis, meanwhile, name Juanfran, Jorge Molina and Nosa Igiebor in attacking lineup. Right, the home side get the action underway in the Spanish capital.
Unfortunately, not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium this evening with the home supporters staying away once more. Perfect evening for a game of football, however, with the sun shining in the south of Madrid. A cross from Getafe defender Lago causes a problem to Sara in the first attack, but the Betis stopper manages to collect.
Neither side has really been allowed to settle thus far with the referee called into action to deal with a number of late challenges. It would not be a surprise to see a couple of early bookings awarded as the referee attempts to take charge of proceedings. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes of football.
Good spell for Betis in the last couple of moments with the away side starting to take control of the possession. A half-chance arrives for Verdu as the Spaniard is presented with possession outside the box, but his effort is charged down by Alexis. Getafe are down the other end with Nosa moments later, but he loses possession in a challenge with Alvaro Arroyo.
Incredible intensity in the midfield at the moment with both sides diving into a number of challenges. However, the referee has not seen fit to issue a card thus far. Getafe manage to work the ball to Mosquera in a wide position moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Sara. High-tempo opening eight minutes in Madrid.
Again it's good work from Verdu as the Betis midfielder combines with Molina before driving into the box, but his final effort is just wide of the post. Just a few signs that Betis are starting to take control of the possession. However, Getafe remain a threat with their pace and movement in the final third.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to Borja as the Getafe midfielder meets a deep cross from Leon, but he can only drive his low effort wide of the post. That would have been smash and grab with Betis in charge down the other end moments later. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side as Leon strikes an effort on the bounce, but Sara is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner is played short to Colunga, but he can only turn and fire wide of the post. Good pressure from Getafe in the last couple of moments. Betis need to be a little bit careful here.
CHANCE! Another golden chance for Borja to send the home side into the lead as he meets a corner at the near post, but once more Sara is across to make a fine save at his near post. He could have had two in the last five minutes or so. Betis are down the other end with Diego Castro moments later, but he runs into traffic inside the box.
GOAL! Getafe 1-0 Betis (Leon)
Wow. Stunning effort from Leon as the Getafe midfielder thumps a dipping free kick into the back of the net. Wonderful from the former Real Madrid midfielder. It had been coming there is no question about that.
Safe to say that that Pepe Mel is not best pleased with his side at the moment as he looks on from the sideline. Betis need to be a little bit careful here as Getafe continue to force the issue in the early stages. Another goal would certainly put them in a strong position with 20 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but Getafe remain in control of the possession. A half-chance does arrive as Rafa meets a corner from Leon, but Sara manages to claim under pressure. Betis attempt to break down the other end with Paulao, but Lago comes across to quell the danger.
GOAL! Getafe 2-0 Betis (Leon)
Getafe have their second of the afternoon as Leon plants his header into the back of the net following really smart work from Adrian down the left. Again the Betis defending has to be questioned. It has been poor in the opening 24 minutes there is no question about that.
GOAL! Getafe 3-0 Betis (Colunga)
Well, I was just about to say that Getafe have responded well to falling 2-0 behind. However, it is now three as Adrian Colunga battles his way into the Betis box before finishing from close range. How often does a simple long ball pay off in football?
Getafe come close to making it four as Sarabia stands over a free kick outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Betis are down the other end with Juanfran moments later, but the Spaniard can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Madrid.
Another half-chance for the away side as Xavi Torres finds some space in the middle of the park before finding the run of Molina, but the striker does not have the power or indeed the pace to move away from the home side's back four. This could get a lot worse before it gets better for Betis there is no question about that.
Leon cannot continue here as the Getafe midfielder leaves the field injured with Gavilan on to replace the former Real Madrid midfielder, who has been wonderful thus far. A half-chance arrives for Molina moments later as he collects a long pass from Borja, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
The match has just settled in the last couple of moments with Betis starting to enjoy more of the ball in the Getafe half. They might be 3-0 down, but one goal would at least give them something to fight for in the second period. It is a shame that there are not more supporters inside the stadium to enjoy the performance from Getafe this evening. It has been that good.
Slightly untidy last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. The latest free kick allows Verdu the chance to deliver a cross into the Getafe box, but it fails to beat the first man. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital.
Another half-chance for the home side as Sarabia finds some space inside the box before delivering a cross towards Colunga, but Nacho is on hand to make the clearance at the vital moment. It falls for Gavilan moments later, but he is quickly challenged by Torres, before Rafa picks up a booking for fouling Verdu on the counter.
The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Verdu, but once more his delivery is not up to the required standard, which has been a feature of the opening 45 minutes in Madrid. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
HALF TIME: Getafe 3-0 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the half to an end with Getafe leading 3-0 at the interval courtesy of a brace from Leon and a strike from Colunga. Betis have simply not turned up in the Spanish capital with the home side dominating from the very first moment. Much to ponder for Pepe Mel and his side at the interval.
STATISTICS: The away side have just about shaded the possession with 51%, but they have not had a single shot on target, registering just one off target. Getafe, meanwhile, have had eight attempts in total - with all three on target bringing their three goals. Just the two yellow cards, meanwhile, one for each side.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have already been forced into a change with Gavilan replacing the injured Leon. However, they still have the likes of Marica, Codina and Michel in reserve. Betis, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Alvaro Vadillo, Chudli and Mabwati. It would not be a surprise to see changes at the interval.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Athletic Bilbao against Valencia, be sure to remain with us for that. Betis get the second period underway in the second period.
No real surprise that Betis have made two changes at the interval with Vadillo and Mabwati replacing Juanfran and Xavi Torres. It is imperative that the away side get off to a fast start in the second half and that has been the case with Nacho curling an effort wide of the post after good work from Molina down the left.
Immediate impact from Mabwati as the Betis midfielder collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the top corner, but Moya is across to make the save. The resulting set piece is delivered towards the head of Paulao, but Moya claims under pressure from Molina.
GOAL! Getafe 3-1 Betis (Rafa OG)
Mabwati continues to have a positive influence for the away side as he twice drives into the Getafe box in quick succession, but he cannot find a teammate. Again he causes problems down the left moments later, but this time he is felled by Arroyo. The resulting free kick is delivered into the box by Verdu and Rafa can only flick past his own goalkeeper.
It is just the response that Pepe Mel would have wanted from his side. Another goal in the next 10 minutes or so would certainly make it interesting. Betis continue to force the issue with Mabwati and Verdu starting to influence proceedings in the final third. Getafe have not been allowed to start this second period.
Betis continue to force the issue as Vadillo drives into the box before winning a corner from Rafa. The resulting set piece is whipped into the area by Verdu, but Alexis is on hand to clear. Castro has a half-chance on the counter moments later, but he loses his footing before slicing wide of the post. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Big penalty shout for the home side as Matilla appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given. A whipped cross comes into the Betis box from Mosquera moments later, but Alexis cannot make contact at the vital moment. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Mabwati curls one wide of the post for Betis, before Gavilan plants high and wide of the crossbar down the other end. Meanwhile, the referee continues to become more involved than he would like as the challenges arrive from both sides. It is so delicately poised.
Another half-chance for Colunga as the Getafe forward meets a deep cross from Borja, but he can only slice his effort into the side netting. Neither team is really in control of the possession at the moment as each continues to threaten in the opposing third. I would be surprised if there were not more goals in this one.
The decisions are just starting to go for the away side as Betis win another couple of free kicks around the Getafe box. However, neither comes close to bringing their second of the match. It would not be a surprise to see Luis Garcia attempt to freshen his midfield in the next five minutes or so.
Another half-chance for the home side as Mabwati finds some space outside the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Getafe attempt to break moments later with Sarabia, but his pass towards Colunga asks too much from the striker.
CHANCE! Again Mabwati is involved for the away side as he drives into the box before rolling a low cross towards Vadillo, but his effort is deflected high and wide of the crossbar by Rafa. Wonderful defending from the Spaniard. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Getafe make their second change of the match as Romanian international Marica enters the field in place of Colunga. Marica had been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, but Getafe managed to secure his signing. He has the best part of 20 minutes to make a difference this evening.
CHANCE! Gavilan thinks he has scored as the netting moves in the Betis goal, but his effort had just moved wide of the post at the vital moment. That would have surely secured all the points. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening.
Betis make their third and final change of the evening as Chuli replaces Verdu, which is a surprise there is no question about that. If the away side can just find a second in the next five minutes or so, then it would set up some finish. Getafe, however, remain a threat on the counter.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Marica settles in possession before finding Castro on the edge of the box, but once more he slips. Maybe he needs a change of footwear?! It has happened all too often in the second period. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Getafe make their third change of the match as Lopo replaces Alexis, who limps off with a seemingly damaged hamstring. The home side have just managed to kill the game in the last couple of moments with a number of timewasting techniques. However, there is still time for Betis to turn this one around as they continue to commit players forward.
The home side want a penalty as Marica is seemingly felled inside the box by Amaya, but the referee is not interested. In truth, both players were holding each other. The pressure is coming from Getafe at the moment as they attempt to wrap up all three points in the Spanish capital.
Betis were so impressive on their travels last season, but it is difficult to ignore their struggles this time around. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, which will please the home supporters as their side moves closer to securing all the points. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to force the issue, but time is just starting to run out for Betis, who have been much better in the second period. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of football.
All-action display from Betis in the second period as they continue to chase every ball, but it has been a case of too little too late. The damage had been done in the first period. Comfortable for Getafe as they keep hold of the ball with the final seconds approaching.
FULL TIME: Getafe 3-1 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with Getafe collecting all three points with a 3-1 win. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick with us for Bilbao against Valencia. Until then!
