Striker Youssef El Arabi scored two goals and set up another to match Granada in a wild 3-3 draw at Getafe in the Spanish league on Friday.
The result left Getafe winless in 13 straight rounds and marked the debut of new coach Cosmin Contra following the firing of Luis Garcia.
The shootout at Afonso Perez Coliseum included both sides having a player dismissed for two yellow cards in the second half.
Photo: EPA
Getafe led 2-1 at half-time on goals by Ciprian Marica and Lisandro Lopez, with El Arabi setting up Ivan “Riki” Sanchez in between.
El Arabi headed in Brayan Angulo’s well-placed cross to get his first goal and make it 2-2 in the 62nd minute.
With Granada down to 10 men after Manuel Iturra was sent off, Angel Lafita put Getafe back ahead in the 72nd. However, El Arabi headed in his second in the 77th from a deflected corner kick, before Getafe lost Sergio Escudero to his second booking.
“We knew Getafe was on a tough run and would want to start strong,” Riki said. “They did so by scoring early, but we played one of our best games on the road.”
Granada broke a run of five consecutive losses away from home to stay in the middle of the standings.
Getafe remained in 16th place and inched two points clear of the relegation zone before the rest of teams had played in round 28.
“Before, we lost these games, but today we at least salvaged a draw,” said Getafe’s Lopez, referring to the effect on the team by the coaching change. “Still, it is a shame we couldn’t take the three points. To get away from the bottom, we can’t make any mistakes.”
Real Madrid lead by three points over Atletico Madrid.
Madrid was to visit Malaga yesterday, while Atletico were to host RCD Espanyol.
Third-place Barcelona are to play CA Osasuna today.
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