Getafe 1-2 Real Sociedad
Coming into the match with no strikers and centre-backs, Getafe’s Friday night clash with Real Sociedad was always going to look like a tricky affair for Los Azulones. On top of that, a Real Sociedad side that was just two points above the relegation zone looked rejuvenated under new manager Pellegrino Matarazzo in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on his debut.
Predictably, a tough starter was on the menu for La Real, with Getafe usually in the lead. It was Mario Martin’s header from Kiko Femenia’s cross that brought the crowd’s first reaction early on, however, as the home side found confidence in the underdogs in the opening stages. As La Real looked for an opening, they began to look bogged down in Getafe’s defence.
Just when Jose Bordalas might have been allowing himself some satisfaction with their solid performance, Brais Mendez latched on to a through ball in front of the box and fired his shot past David Soria. Txuri-Urdin didn’t have a clear chance at that point, but Brais’ opened the scoring as frustration began to build among the away team.
A low shot into the crowd from Juan Iglesias ensured Alex Remiro was called into action before the break, in a five-shot half between the two sides.
A game of cat and mouse
The second half started with a different cat-and-mouse mentality, as Getafe did their best to hold the field together without revealing themselves. Winning the ball up top, Goncalo Guedes put his effort wide from the edge of the box, before Mikel Oyarzabal headed home the best chance of the game. The under-pressure Diego Rico looked to be out of trouble, but Oyarzabal was waiting to get back at Soria – all alone, past the posts. Real Sociedad looked aggrieved after that, and failed to finish off another clear chance which was ruled offside moments later.
Takefusa Kubo was the next to put on a muscle, who started to rush into the box, but Ander Barrenetxea saw a clear opportunity that was blocked by a penalty. A response from Getafe began, however, with Juanmi meeting a dangerous ball inside the six-yard box, with Mauro Arambarri heading in Alex Sancris’ superb cross.
Neither team can claim to be comfortable going into the final 15 minutes, La Real allowing Getafe to move into third place with ease, but acres of open space in front of them, if they can’t beat Los Azulones’ first machine. Both attempts to strengthen reputation were hampered by a succession of games in the middle of the field, but the game was inspired by Getafe to damage the pursuit of an equalizing goal.
🤳 How we cried, Jonmi. ¡Just have fun! pic.twitter.com/xahyvIaJ9I
– Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) January 9, 2026
As happened last week, Getafe equalized without warning. A long ball forward was not handled by La Real, and Juanmi, who stood out for not having much time to appear in the position, came up with the equalizer. Unlike their equalizer in Vallecas however, Getafe left time on the clock.
Stoppage time saw Kubo come to life again, bursting, driving and diving between defenders. The only thing they could do was take him down, and after many episodes, there was one last corner left. Entered by Kubo, Soria came and missed, but Jon Aramburu didn’t, nodding into the empty net, and drowning the Coliseum in the eerie glee of the Real Sociedad bench.
With much talk about Getafe’s lack of resources in formation, Bordalas cautions that an abundance of grit and patience requires more quality for results to look smart. For Matarazzo, it was a stunning first win as manager in Spain. Overall, they have clear chances on all three points, but you will find it much easier to talk about what Real Sociedad can improve in terms of game management without the sinking feeling that his team left Getafe.
