Getafe 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona couldn’t wish for a better day than this!
The reigning La Liga champions headed into the game against Getafe knowing that a win would see them move five points clear at the top—with Atletico Madrid dropping points in a draw against Sevilla and Real Madrid losing to Real Sociedad—and they didn’t disappoint as they rolled to a convincing victory at the Alfonso Perez ground.
Sure enough, it wasn’t an easy victory for the Catalans. The Azulones fought well and were a little bit unlucky not to score more, but Barcelona showed they are simply a cut above the rest…literally and figuratively.
Highlights of the game
Three first-half goals decided the match, and ultimately, it came down to the missed chances both teams had in the second half.
Lionel Messi didn’t have a vintage performance (by his standards), but he showed the skills that make him the best player in the world.
Messi scored the opener for Barca on 20 minutes, beating two Getafe defenders and goalkeeper David Soria for an epic finish.
The ball looped into the Getafe area, looking like that it would fall on the spot between Leandro Cabrera and Djene Dakonam. Soria also ran into the ball to ensure that they have the ball in control. However, the little daredevil that he is, Messi burst into the scene to get the ball and almost made the three Getafe players crash.
Messi’s initial shot was deflected by Soria, but his second effort from a tight angle went in to give Barcelona the lead.
Gerard Pique almost made it 2-0 for Barcelona six minutes later. Arthur found Pique unmarked from seven yards, but the 31-year-old defender shot too close to Soria who parried the ball away.
Ernesto Valverde’s men won’t be denied of a second, though. Dakonam tried to clear the ball from a Messi free-kick, but it landed directly on Suarez who was waiting at the edge of the box.
The Uruguayan striker then positioned his body perfectly and volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving Soria helpless.
Getafe saw a sliver of hope when Jaime Mata cut the lead before the break, but the home team couldn’t muster another goal to salvage even one point.
Angel Rodriguez almost levelled for Getafe early in the second half after Dimitri Foulquier put him through. However, while his shot beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen, it ended up missing the goal by an inch.
Jorge Molina, on the other hand, flopped in front of the goal after overcoming the Barca defence and Ter Stegen. Molina went through on goal and fooled Ter Stegen to have a clear shot, but the 36-year-old let the pressure take the best of him and sent the ball high and wide.
Barcelona did well to hold on amid the increased pressure from Getafe. Nonetheless, they would also rue the fact that they had plenty of wasted opportunities, with Pique denied from point-blank range and Messi rejected twice by Soria.
Key statistics
The pre-match La Liga 2019 odds at SBOBET pointed to an easy win for Barca, but that wasn’t exactly the case.
While Barcelona did dominate possession with 75.9 percent, Getafe made use of the little time they had with the ball and had a total of 10 shots. The Catalans had 12 shots, eight of which were on target.
Another notable stat in the game was the number of fouls committed by Getafe. The home team knew what they were up against and played more physical to catch up with Barcelona.
Getafe ended the game with 23 fouls (Barcelona only had 12) and four yellow cards.
Here are some more interesting stats about Barcelona’s win:
- Barca’s latest victory extended their winning streak to five straight league games. They beat Celta Vigo two weeks ago before the break.
- Interestingly, through their winning streak, Barcelona only conceded against Getafe.
- Messi’s goal is his 399th in La Liga. He could have surpassed the 400-goal mark, though.
- Messi (16) and Suarez (12) now have 28 league goals combined, more than 16 other teams in La Liga. Atletico Madrid, in fact, have only scored 26 markers overall.
- Barcelona and fourth-placed Alaves are the only top seven teams to win this Matchday 18. As mentioned, Atletico (2nd) drew with Sevilla (3rd), while Real Madrid (5th), Real Betis (6th) and Getafe (7th) lost.
- With the latest La Liga 2019 results, Barcelona now have 40 points after 18 matches.
What’s next?
Barcelona have a Copa del Rey match against Levante this week before returning to La Liga to take on Eibar at Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Getafe also head to the Spanish Cup to play Real Valladolid. After that, they play Villarreal in the top flight.
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