Getafe CF secured their place in the next round of the Copa del Rey after edging out Granada CF by a score of 1-0 on January 3, 2025. The match played at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium was marked by tension and drama, culminating in Borja Mayoral's game-winning goal during extra time.
Both teams entered the match with the same objective: progressing to the next phase of Spain's prestigious knockout tournament. For Granada, this encounter was particularly significant as they battled against formidable injuries. Notable absentees included top scorer Myrto Uzuni and forward Sergio Rodelas, forcing coach Fran Escribá to shuffle his lineup. Despite presenting younger players and less experienced names on the field, the home team demonstrated determination and zeal.
The first half saw Getafe seize the initiative, controlling possession but failing to convert their dominance on the pitch to clear scoring opportunities. Both sides adopted tactics emphasizing defense, with solid performances from their respective backlines. The first genuine threat from Granada came with Reinier's swift counter-attack, where he found Giorgi Tsitaishvili, but his shot missed the target, keeping the score at 0-0.
Interestingly, during the first half, Shon Weissman saw his goal ruled out for offside, creating tension among players and supporters alike. The first 45 minutes concluded with both sides still level, setting up expectations for more action after the break.
After halftime, Granada pushed harder to take the lead. They created several chances, yet key interventions from Getafe goalkeeper Jirí Letácek thwarted their efforts. A header attempt from Weissman was again called offside, denying the home side another possible goal. The heightened tension carried through the second half, with missed opportunities from both sides being the theme of the day.
With no goals recorded after regular time, the match proceeded to extra time, akin to the height of excitement amid growing fatigue from both squads. It was during this period, just three minutes in, when Borja Mayoral capitalized on a defensive lapse from Granada. A miscalculation by defender Loïc Williams allowed Mayoral to find the back of the net, leaving the score at 1-0, much to the dismay of Granada fans.
Even with the goal disadvantage, Granada did not fold. They increased their pressure and looked for any avenue to equalize, augmenting their attack with determined efforts. Their best chance came near the end of the first period of extra time when Gonzalo Villar whipped in a dangerous free-kick but could not convert it successfully, as Letácek managed to parry the effort out for another corner.
The second half of extra time evolved much like the first; Granada poured forward, desperate to level the score before the final whistle. They manufactured several promising chances, yet the getafe defense remained firm, with Letácek delivering saves when needed most.
The match concluded with Granada unable to break through Getafe’s resolute defense and goalkeeper. The final score stood at 1-0—in favor of Getafe—which meant Granada's exit from the tournament.
Reflecting on the match, El Nuevo noted, "A goal from Borja Mayoral gave Getafe the win against determined Granada who struggled with injury setbacks." Mundo Deportivo's coverage echoed this sentiment, highlighting both teams' tactical strategies and missed opportunities, stating, "Despite efforts from Granada, including strong attacks late in the game, they couldn't level the score." The defeat marks yet another round of disappointment for Granada as they aim for higher aspirations this season, particularly with their focus on securing promotion to La Liga.
Going forward, Getafe will shift their focus to the next challenge, buoyed by their successful Copa del Rey run. Meanwhile, Granada will need to regroup quickly; they have important league matches coming up as they seek to regain momentum following this heartbreak.