MADRID (AP):
Real Madrid regained first place in the Spanish league yesterday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Getafe in a match rescheduled for the Spanish Super Cup.
Josel Mato scored in both halves to put Madrid in the lead with a two-goal lead over Girona.
It was Madrid’s sixth straight win in the league, having gone unbeaten in 25 games since losing 3-1 to Atlético Madrid in September.
Madrid are 0 points behind Atletico and defending champion Barcelona. On Wednesday, Atlético beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 and Barcelona beat Osasuna 1-0. Both matches were postponed due to the Spanish Super Cup, which Madrid won in Saudi Arabia last month.
Madrid took the lead against Getafe in the 14th minute when Joselu scored a header after Lucas Vázquez delivered an exquisite cross from the right. In the 56th minute, Joselu cut the lead to two points with a low shot from inside the area.
Vinicius Junior missed several clear chances in one-on-one situations in the second half. Getafe found the woodwork once while leading 2-0.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won 20 of their 25 games unbeaten.
“It was a great game for us,” said Ancelotti, who rotated some players ahead of Sunday’s derby against Atletico Madrid. “We are in good form and the team is motivated. We played well from start to finish, so we will prepare for the derby.”
Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger strained his leg muscle before the suspension and did not return in the second half.
Ancelotti was left with few defensive options due to injuries and had to improvise midfielder Aurélien Choameny as a central defender alongside Nacho Fernandes.
Ancelotti was shown a yellow card after the final whistle for protesting in the second half when a penalty was not called.
Getafe won against Granada after three consecutive league games without a win. The club from the south of Madrid remained in 10th place.