Published: 09:08, March 3, 2026
Satriano volley stuns Real Madrid as Getafe shake up LaLiga title race
By Reuters
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger jumps for the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe in Madrid, Spain, March 2, 2026. (PHOTO / AP)

MADRID - Martin Satriano's superb first-half volley earned Getafe a shock 1-0 victory at Real Madrid in LaLiga on Monday, a result that left leaders Barcelona four ​points clear at the top of the standings.

Real dominated possession from kickoff ‌and controlled the game but failed to turn pressure into goals, squandering several chances in an ill-tempered contest.

Alvaro Arbeloa's side were left exposed in the 39th minute when a half-cleared cross dropped invitingly on the edge ​of the box and Satriano struck a fierce volley into the top left ​corner.

Frustration boiled over in stoppage time when substitute Franco Mastantuono was shown a ⁠straight red card for dissent, while Adrian Liso was also sent off for the ​visitors.

Barcelona lead the standings on 64 points, with Real second on 60. Getafe are 11th with ​32 points.

Getafe's Uruguayan forward #10 Martín Satriano scores the opening goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Getafe CF at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2026. (PHOTO / AFP)

With Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao sidelined by injury, Real manager Arbeloa rotated heavily and handed 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch his first senior start.

Getafe set the tone early, disrupting Real's rhythm with a ​stream of tactical fouls.

However, Real managed to carve out openings and Vinicius Jr should have ​put them ahead in the 13th minute when he raced clear on the counter-attack, only for goalkeeper ‌David Soria ⁠to block his close-range effort with a sharp right-footed save.

Soria excelled again in the 24th minute, producing a one-handed stop to deny Arda Guler after the Turkish midfielder weaved past three defenders on a dazzling run into the box.

The decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute. ​After Real failed to ​clear a cross, Satriano — ⁠playing his seventh match since joining on loan from Olympique Lyonnais in January — pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the ​box and lashed an unstoppable volley into the top left corner.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior fights for the ball against Getafe's Luis Milla during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe in Madrid, Spain, March 2, 2026. (PHOTO / AP)

The ​Bernabeu crowd responded ⁠with boos at halftime, prompting Arbeloa to introduce Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen and Rodrygo but the changes had little effect.

Real pressed but struggled to break down Getafe's deep five-man defense. Antonio Ruediger ⁠headed ​close from a corner and Rodrygo fired just wide from ​a rebound, yet the visitors held firm.

READ MORE: Barcelona stunned by Girona 2-1 to leave Real Madrid top of LaLiga

Mastantuono's straight red card capped a chastening night for Real, who lost at ​home to Getafe for the first time in 18 years.