Nahuel Molina’s stunning finish secured a 1-0 victory for Atlético Madrid against 10-man Getafe on Saturday.
The action kicked off just eight minutes into the match when Molina seized a loose ball on the left wing and unleashed a breathtaking dipping shot from 30 yards out.
This goal would stand as the only tally in the match at Wanda Metropolitano. Getafe’s chances of responding faded significantly after Abdel Abqar received a red card just 10 minutes into the second half.
With this win, Atlético Madrid notched their fourth consecutive LaLiga victory, moving two points ahead of Villarreal to claim third place, marking three straight wins across all competitions.
Diego Simeone took the opportunity to rotate his lineup ahead of the upcoming Champions League clash with Tottenham, and thanks to Molina’s goal, his team secured the essential win.
Molina made his presence felt right from the start with a near-miss on the opening shot of the game and then showcased his skill by creating an incredible chance from nothing.
After intercepting a careless pass, he executed a brilliant first-time strike that flew past David Soria.
As Atlético dominated possession, Alexander Sorloth nearly increased the lead when he headed the ball against the post after being set up by Álex Baena just before the half-hour mark, but the score remained unchanged at halftime.
The match took a decisive turn when Getafe’s Abqar received a direct red card for a foul on Sorloth off the ball, leading referee Miguel Ortiz to consult VAR before handing down the punishment.
In spite of their numerical advantage, Atlético and Getafe both had opportunities to score, with Adrián Liso nearly equalizing with a header that required a fantastic diving save from Juan Musso, while Julian Alvare’s shot was bravely blocked on the line by Juan Iglesias.