The final game of the 2014-15 La Liga season pitted Real Madrid against Getafe at the Bernabeu.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a first-half hat-trick for the home side, but goals from Sergio Escudero, Diego Castro and Medhi Lacen left the scores level at 3-3 at the break.
Real Madrid scored four more times in the second period, however, with strikes from Javier Hernandez, James Rodriguez, Jese Rodriguez and Marcelo making it a comfortable win for the home side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! The 2014/15 La Liga season draws to a close from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Getafe to the Bernabeu. In truth, there is not too much to play for in this particular game, with Real Madrid confirmed as finishing second and Getafe safe from the drop ahead of the final weekend, but both will be keen to end the season in positive fashion. Let's hope for a good game!
It is difficult to be too critical of Real Madrid, who have won eight of their nine league games since losing against Barcelona in March. Dropped points against Valencia earlier this month all but ended their title challenge, however, and they are currently five points behind Barcelona, who won the title last weekend at Atletico Madrid, before drawing with Deportivo La Coruna earlier this evening.
That said, disappointment in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League has left Real Madrid without a major trophy this season, although they did win the Club World Cup back in December. In total, they have collected 89 points from their 37 league games – winning 29 times, drawing twice and losing six. They have more points than they managed last season, but have ultimately just fallen short.
Getafe, meanwhile, will end the season in 14th or 15th position. They have won 10 of their 37 league games this season, but 20 defeats have made it a fairly disappointing campaign. They have also lost five of their last seven in the league and not picked up all three points since April 9, when they beat Elche. Last time out, the capital outfit were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Eibar.
In truth, goals have been a problem all season for Getafe, with just 30 in their 37 league matches. They have also lost 12 times on their travels this term, with only Cordoba suffering more league defeats away from home. Getafe have also lost 11 of their last 12 league meetings with Real Madrid and have only won once at the Bernabeu in 10 previous league visits. It does not look too good for them here!
PREDICTION!
TEAMS:
REAL: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Nacho, Marcelo; Illarra, Kroos, James; Jese, Hernandez, Ronaldo
GETAFE: Codina; Vigaray, Alexis, Naldo, Escudero; Lacen, Juan; Leon, Sarabia, Castro; Fredy
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Getafe cause a shock in the final La Liga game of the season? Bit of a strange atmosphere inside the Bernabeu!
It has been a bright start from both teams in Madrid, with Leon already threatening down the right for the visitors, while Hernandez has been lively for the home side. You just get the feeling that the home supporters want to see a bit of a show tonight. It has been a disappointing couple of weeks.
CHANCE! First real chance for the home side as Illarramendi feeds Jese, who delivers a cross into Hernandez, but his effort is just wide of the post. Good movement from the Mexican.
The home side are in control of the possession at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. However, Getafe, with the pace of Fredy, are a real threat on the counter attack.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, and Getafe are certainly playing their part here. Leon finds space in a wide area before delivering towards Castro, but it is too high for the midfielder. Real Madrid are very open at the back and in truth, that has been the story for much of the season.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Hernandez has looked the most likely to open the scoring. Not too much from Ronaldo in the opening 10 minutes.
Jese shows incredible pace for the home side as he drives down the right before delivering into Hernandez, but the Mexican's effort is just wide of the post. Good pressure from the hosts here.
Getafe threaten as Vigaray races down the right before feeding Fredy, but the forward's touch is not the best and Real Madrid get players behind the ball. Vigaray stays forward and delivers moments later, but Casillas is on hand to collect. The opening 13 minutes in Madrid have just flown past.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Getafe (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 13th minute as Marcelo's searching cross finds the head of Ronaldo and well, you know the rest. Towering header from the Portuguese, who is in stunning form.
Getafe do not look too strong at the back here as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. Hernandez's movement again causes problems, but the Mexican can only find the side netting from a deep Marcelo cross. The home supporters are in fine voice, which is great to see here.
It has been a decent response from the away side in the last couple of moments, but they are struggling to really test Casillas. It is a much-changed Real Madrid defence this evening.
Illarramendi tries his luck from outside the Getafe box, but his effort was deflected high of the crossbar. A second for the home side would really make things difficult for Getafe tonight.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Getafe (Escudero)
Oh my good grief! Getafe level with 23 minutes on the clock as Escudero absolutely rattles one into the bottom corner. The full-back was not closed down and simply arrowed one past Casillas. Wow!
Casillas is getting some whistles from the home supporters again. Come on now - the Spaniard stood no chance with that effort from Escudero! The home side are in possession with 26 played here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Getafe (Castro)
Good grief! Getafe take the lead in the 26th minute as Castro bends one into the bottom corner from outside the box. Terrible defending from Real Madrid, but that is another super, super finish!
I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. It is so, so open, which Carlo Ancelotti will not welcome!
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following a number of late challenges and Real Madrid have one some 40 yards from goal. Ronaldo to take...
... GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Getafe (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo fires his free kick into the bottom corner. Not too sure about the goalkeeping, but that is a wonderful effort from the Portuguese, who now has 60 goals for the season. Sixty!
PENALTY AND BOOKING! Vigaray (Getafe) is booked for bringing Hernandez to the ground outside the box. Ronaldo to take - another hat-trick?
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Getafe (Ronaldo, hat-trick)
Ronaldo has 61 goals for the season as he fires down the middle from the penalty spot.
Well, this has been quite a good first period and I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. There is nothing at stake here, which is creating such a wonderfully open game of football.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to score a fourth as Hernandez meets a low cross inside the box, but Naldo somehow makes the block. Good grief what a game!
SUB! Real Madrid are forced into a change as Varane replaces the injured Pepe.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-3 Getafe (Lacen)
Getafe level the scores at 3-3 as Lacen hammers one into the top corner after making use of a loose ball inside the Real Madrid box. What a first half in Madrid - you just cannot believe it.
CHANCE! Getafe come close to taking the lead as Leon meets one on the bounce outside the box, but his low effort whistles wide of the post. Real Madrid's defending has been horrible!
BOOKING! Jese (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Castro.
Leon strikes the resulting free kick over the crossbar.
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 3-3. It has been an incredible half at the Bernabeu, with Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick. Goals from Escudero, Castro and Lacen, however, have left the sides level. More of the same in the second 45 minutes please!
STATS! The home side have shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had eight attempts - three of which have been on target. Getafe, meanwhile, have hit the target with four of their seven attempts. There have also been two yellow cards issued - one apiece. It has been some match!
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have already been forced into one change, with Pepe being replaced by Varane. However, Los Blancos still have options in the shape of Isco, Bale and 16-year-old midfielder Odegaard. Getafe, meanwhile, have the likes of Diawara, Felip and Astray in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have more goals at the Bernabeu? Let's hope so! The away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUB! Real Madrid have made another change at the break, with Carvajal replacing Arbeloa.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-3 Getafe (Hernandez)
Real Madrid regain the lead at the Bernabeu as Hernandez drills home from close range after Ronaldo had hit the crossbar with a header. Not too sure about some of the Getafe defending there!
Real Madrid have another free kick just outside the box as Naldo flattens Hernandez...
... GOAL! Real Madrid 5-3 Getafe (James)
Ronaldo hands the free-kick duties over to James and the Colombian curls one into the top corner. That is a really wonderful effort from the Colombian, who has had an excellent first season here.
Eight goals and counting at the Bernabeu! Still around 40 minutes to play!
Another half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Martin Odegaard is preparing to enter the field here! History!
SUB! Real Madrid make their third change as Martin Odegaard, who becomes Real Madrid's youngest ever player at just 16 years of age, replaces Ronaldo. Some story here!
Odegaard has taken up a wide right position here, which might be an indication of the teenager's future in this team. What a story it would be if the 16-year-old could find a goal on his debut.
It has been a decent spell of Getafe pressure in the last couple of moments and Alexis comes close after meeting a low cross, but the defender can only poke wide of the post. Still 5-3 Real Madrid.
Unfortunately, there have still been a number of whistles for Casillas this evening, which is poor to see. This could be the Spaniard's final appearance in a Real Madrid shirt, even if he stays!
Real Madrid come close to a sixth as Hernandez strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Getafe are still threatening as they commit four forward during their latest attack, but Casillas manages to collect at the first time of asking.
Real Madrid have another free kick just outside the box as Alexis fells Jese...
... James strikes the resulting free kick, but Codina is on hand to make a smart save.
GOAL! Real Madrid 6-3 Getafe (Jese)
Real Madrid have their sixth of the evening as Jese combines with James before curling one into the bottom corner. It is another super goal from Real Madrid, who are going goal crazy in Madrid.
SUB! Change for Granada as Felip replaces Juan Rodriguez.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu and we are waiting for the game's 10th goal. Getafe have not really featured in this second half, which is a shame for the neutral fan!
Just a reminder that Cordoba, Almeria and Eibar have all been confirmed as relegated from La Liga. Valencia, meanwhile, secured fourth ahead of Sevilla earlier this evening. Some final day!
CHANCE! Odegaard sets up Jese inside the Getafe box, but the Spaniard's effort is tipped over the crossbar. Odegaard has shown plenty of nice touches since entering the field tonight.
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Diawara replaces Castro.
Is this Ancelotti's last game in charge of Real Madrid? The Italian is actually up in the stands as he serves the second of his two-game ban, but the experienced manager is expected to depart.
BOOKING! Naldo (Getafe) is booked for dissent.
SUB! Getafe make their third change as Leon is replaced by Ivan Lopez.
Screams of 'Iker, Iker' ring around the stadium and Casillas responds, which is good to see.
CHANCE! Real Madrid again break through the Getafe defence as Hernandez combines with Jese before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Codina is down to make a smart save.
SAVE! Decent spell for Getafe in the last couple of moments and the visitors come close to finding a fourth as Sarabia strikes one from outside the box, but Casillas flies across his goal to make the save.
GOAL! Real Madrid 7-3 Getafe (Marcelo)
Real Madrid score their seventh of the game as Jese drives down the right before squaring for Marcelo, who cannot miss from close range. Seven goals on the evening for a rampant Real Madrid.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 7-3 Getafe
So there we have it. Real Madrid end their La Liga season with a 7-3 win over Getafe at the Bernabeu. What a game in the Spanish capital. Another hat-trick for Ronaldo, who finishes on 61 goals for the season. Getafe, meanwhile, stay up despite the defeat. What a way to finish the Spanish season.
So there we have it. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and indeed throughout the La Liga season. Be sure to stick around for all of the reaction and analysis/player ratings from Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Deportivo La Coruna. Good evening from the Bernabeu!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
