Forward José Luis Morales scored in the 52nd minute to spark a late comeback for Getafe at La Cerámica, turning the tide after Villarreal had taken the lead with a first-half goal by Enes Ünal. Minutes after the break, Samu Chukwueze equalized, keeping the match tense as Getafe clung to a sliver of momentum despite a streak of defeats that left them precariously placed in the relegation zone.
The match opened with an intense spell as Chukwueze partnered with two midfielders, a setup disrupted by Alderete and Soria. The decisive moment came in the tenth minute when Djené, alert to a skirmish between Yeremy and Arambarri, entered the field to replace Ünal and steer the ball past Reina, signaling Villarreal to regroup under pressure and seek a timely response.
As the tempo shifted, Villarreal pressed for an immediate reply. Pau Torres had a header that teased the net but was unsettled by Djené’s mark, allowing Getafe’s defense to clear the danger with composure. The azulón side grew more confident as the minutes wore on, stifling Villarreal’s build-up and contest where the visitors defended tightly, forcing long sequences of play with limited opportunity in the final third. Yet the quality shone through in moments from the loaned Terrats, whose creativity offered glimpses of a breakthrough for Getafe.
Quique Setién’s team found themselves unsettled by the early concession, already navigating a run of results that demanded resilience. The plan to stretch the Madrid side’s defense did not fully materialize, and Soria’s intervention repeatedly denied opportunities. The balance of play began to tilt in Getafe’s favor as the home side pressed to regain the lead, but the hosts remained compact and vigilant, preventing clean crosses into Villarreal’s area.
The Villarreal center-backs were instructed to sweep any aerial deliveries, while they watched Darío’s duel with the ball and the movement around the box. Maksimovic created danger by pressing high, testing Reina on multiple occasions and forcing defensive responses, even as Villarreal continued to press for a second goal that would settle the game. A crucial moment arrived just before halftime when Chukwueze recovered a deflected ball and, after a quick exchange with Capoue, forced a sharp save from Soria, restoring parity and leaving the teams level at the interval.
After the break, Villarreal emerged with energy and intent. Chukwueze burst down the right flank to outpace Gastón, drawing a foul or a run of attacking sequences that kept Getafe on their toes. Morales then delivered a cross with precision and found the back of the net, giving Villarreal the lead again and lifting the atmosphere in the stadium. The hosts celebrated a goal that reinforced their ambition to seal the three points in front of their home crowd.
Albiol produced a standout performance at the back for Villarreal, offering a calm and composed presence that helped shield the lead and maintain focus during pressure. The defense, guided by his experience, held firm as Getafe pushed forward in search of an equalizer, with Villarreal maintaining discipline and structure under mounting late pressure.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ side faced a stern test as they chased a way back into the game. Villarreal responded with measured control, seeking to exploit any gaps in Getafe’s defensive setup while remaining dangerous on counter opportunities. The Yellow Submarine used their ball control to dictate the tempo and keep Getafe at bay, weaving through midfield with intent even as the visitors sharpened their approach to draw level again. The clash highlighted the tactical duel between sets of defenders and attackers as both teams aimed to claim the points in a tense late phase.
In the dying minutes, Getafe looked to salvage a result with a final push. Borja Mayoral produced a curling shot that rattled the crossbar, with two subsequent set pieces cleared by Villarreal’s defense. Despite the late pressure, the visitors were unable to convert and the match concluded with Villarreal holding firm and securing a hard-fought win as Getafe left the field short of the reward they sought for their efforts.
These moments encapsulated a match filled with momentum shifts, tight duels, and decisive moments in both boxes, underscoring Villarreal’s home resolve and Getafe’s persistent challenge as the season advanced and both sides continued their campaigns in La Liga Santander.
— LaLiga —