Missing some key players and travelling to a venue at which they have lost on each of their last 16 league visits, Getafe were right to be cautious from the off, but they still had to thank the man between the sticks for keeping them level.
Vinicius Junior capitalised on a mistake from Sebastian Boselli but was thwarted in front of goal by the onrushing David Soria, before Arda Guler also saw his near-post effort turned away after spinning his way into the area.
Despite those clear chances going the way of the hosts, they had by no means had it all their own way, and few would have argued Getafe weren’t deserving of their shock opener.
Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni failed to properly clear a cross, allowing Martín Satriano to arrive and send a sensational volley fading into the near top corner.
That was not only the first time the Azulones had scored in five meetings with Real, but just their second first-half strike in 18 LaLiga matches.
The visitors backed that up with a strong start to the second half, and Real became increasingly frustrated despite starting to have more chances of their own.
Substitutions looked to help their cause, though neither Dean Huijsen nor Rodrygo could turn in teasing crosses from Franco Mastantuono.
They ultimately struggled to open up Getafe through the middle, though, and some solid defensive play from the likes of Domingos Duarte – along with Soria’s heroics in goal – saw out one of Getafe’s best results of recent years.
A red card for Mastantuono for dissent in the dying seconds added to Real’s pain, as they slip to a four-point deficit to the top of the table after Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Villarreal earlier this matchday.
Even a last-second sending off for Adrian Liso for kicking the ball away couldn’t dampen a famous win for Getafe, one that sends them a comfortable eight points from the bottom three with 12 matches to play.
Flashscore Man of the Match: David Soria (Getafe)