Getafe tops Real Sociedad 2-1 to end winless streak

Spanish football club Getafe tasted victory for the first time in 14 matches with a 2-1 triumph against Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Desperately needing a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation, Getafe started poorly with two defenders picking up yellow cards in the first 15 minutes and another, Roberto Lago, leaving the field with an injury in the 16th minute here on Thursday, reports Efe.

Tenth-place Real began the match well and took advantage of Getafe's hesitation to press forward. Mikel Oyarzabal directed the ball into the six-yard box only to see Jonathas misfire, but Carlos Vela was there to put it in the net and put the hosts up 1-0 in the 19th minute.

A blunder by Real's Inigo Martinez nearly handed the visitors the equaliser as Pablo Sarabia's cross found Emiliano Buendia in perfect scoring position, but the resulting shot went sailing into the stands.

With the first half winding down, Sarabia beat Real goalkeeper Oier Olazabal to make it 1-1.

In the second half, Getafe grew stronger and Real deflated in equal measure.

The home side's poor defending set the stage for a desperate penalty by Olazabal against an onrushing Alvaro, who converted from the spot to put the Madrid club ahead 2-1 at the 58-minute mark.

--IANS

sam/bg