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Fernandez leads Granada to 2-1 win over Getafe

Granada, Spain, Jun 12 (efe-epa).- Carlos Fernandez scored a late goal to lead host Granada to a 2-1 win here Friday over Getafe in LaLiga action, a contest that was the teams’ first after a long coronavirus-triggered hiatus.

The Madrid squad took the lead at halftime thanks to a goal by midfielder David Timor at the 20-minute mark, but Fernandez pressured Djene Dakonam into scoring an own-goal in the 71st minute and then notched the game-winner eight minutes later.

Both teams started cautiously in this Matchday 28 contest at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium that was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus, but the visitors turned their first opportunity in the final third into a point on the scoreboard.

Forward Jorge Molina got the play started by orchestrating a one-on-one opportunity for Brazilian teammate Deyerson against Granada net minder Rui Silva.

Although the latter managed to win that initial battle, Marc Cucurella chased down the rebound and set up Timor for a curling left-footed shot from inside the penalty arc that found the back of the net.

Granada tried to respond before the intermission but were repeatedly stymied by Getafe’s well-organized defense. Visiting goalkeeper David Soria was largely untested over the first 45 minutes, although he did intervene to save a Fernandez header off a cross from Victor Diaz.

Head coach Diego Martinez looked to give Granada a boost by inserting Fede Vico at the start of the second half, a move that allowed his team to control possession against an opponent that sought out chances on the counter-attack.

The home team had two chances to score in rapid succession after the restart, but Fernandez and Diaz both squandered chances in the goal area despite being unmarked.

Finally, the tying goal came after a free kick in the 70th minute off the foot of Venezuelan forward Darwin Machis.

The ball floated toward a frozen Soria and ended up crossing the line off of Togolese defender Djene as he and Fernandez were both racing to make a play.

Just eight minutes later, Fernandez received a pass from late substitute Gil Dias and scored against Soria after initially being stopped by the Getafe goalie.

The visitors desperately tried to salvage a point in the final minutes but Granada’s defense held up until the final whistle.

Granada, who had not played since March 8, are currently eighth in the LaLiga standings with 41 points. The loss was a setback for Getafe, who are currently in fifth place with 46 points and just out of the qualification zone for the next season’s Champions League.

– Line-ups

Granada CF: Rui Silva; Dimitri Foulquier (Fede Vico, m.46), Victor Diaz, German, Domingos Duarte, Carlos Neva; Maxime Gonalons (Yan Eteki, m.59), Yangel Herrera (Antoñin, m.70); Darwin Machis (Jesus Vallejo, m.85), Carlos Fernandez and Roberto Soldado (Gil Dias, m.70).

Getafe CF: David Soria; Damian Suarez, Djene Dakonam, Xabier Etxeita, Mathias Olivera; Peter Etebo, David Timor (Hugo Duro, m.84), Allan Nyom (Amath Ndiaye, m.84), Marc Cucurella (Kenedy, m.77); Deyverson (Angel, m.60) and Jorge Molina.

Referee: David Medie Jimenez, who showed a yellow card to Granada’s Diaz (m.10), Fernandez (m.16), Soldado (m.45+1), Gonalons (m.49), Herrera (m.68) and German (m.90) and to Getafe’s Etxeita (m.22), Etebo (m.61), Duro (m.89) and Damian (m.90).

Goals: 0-1 (m.20) Timor. 1-1, (m.71) Djene, own goal. 2-1, (m.79) Fernandez.

The game was a Matchday 28 LaLiga contest at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium in Granada, Spain, that was played behind closed doors due to the pandemic. EFE-EPA

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