Guler’s stunner keeps Los Blancos title hopes alive

Real Madrid kept themselves in the La Liga title race, as Arda Guler’s strike secured a slim win over Getafe.

Madrid won 1-0 away from home as the young Turkish scored a stunner with his weak foot to claim all three points.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side remains four points behind leaders, Barcelona, with five games remaining for the 2024/25 campaign.

With the Copa del Rey final ahead, Ancelotti opted to make several changes to his side clash at the Coliseum. Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo Goes were rested, allowing Arda Guler, Endrick Felipe and likes to be given a rare start in La Liga.

The youngstars took great advantage of the opportunity to secure a win for Los Blancos.

Following a Getafe corner, the away side launched a quick counter-attack, and although they were unable to get a shot initially, the ball came to the Turkish midfielder, who beat his marker before hitting a right-footed shot from the edge of the box past helpless David Soria.

Getafe tried responding but had several missed chances to level the game. Borja Mayoral missed a big chance in the first half, while Mauro Arambarri, in the second interval, fluffed a glorious opportunity from a counter-attack with only Thibaut Courtois to beat.

The game was halted in the closing stages after Aurelien Tchouameni reported abusive chants from a section of Getafe supporters.

With six minutes added following the halt, the home side were still unable to was to clinch an equaliser.

The win takes Real Madrid back to within four points of Barcelona, thus keeping them in the race to retain their La Liga title.

With five games remaining, which include an El Clasico, Los Blancos will hope to win all five games, while hoping Barcelona slips.