Osasuna welcomed Getafe to the Estadio El Sadar on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them clear of the relegation zone in La Liga.
It was the home side that dominated the first period, but they could not make the breakthrough despite creating a host of golden chances.
Osasuna continued to create opportunities in the second period, but they had to wait until the 74th minute to find the winner, with Alejandro Arribas heading home from close range.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the El Sadar as struggling Osasuna welcome Getafe. The home side are in desperate need of the points to ease their relegation fears, but their opponents this evening have not yet given up hope of securing a top-six finish.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, four of the last five matches have ended in a draw. Getafe are the only side to win during that period, with that success coming in their own stadium in May 2011. If recent history is anything to go by, then it could be a tight evening of football at the El Sadar.
As it stands, Osasuna sit in 17th position in the table, just one point outside of the relegation zone with four matches remaining. Getafe, meanwhile, currently occupy eighth spot, six points behind sixth-placed Malaga, who have played one game more. That said, the away side have won just one of their last five matches in the league.
TEAMS:
OSASUNA: Fernandez; Damia, Ruben, Bertran, Arribas; Punal, Silva, De las Cuevas; Armenteros, Sola, Nino
GETAFE: Moya; Valera, Mane, Rafa, Fernandez; Borja, Gavilan, Lafita, Leon; Lacen, Barrada
So there we have it. Attacking lineup for Osasuna this evening with Sola and Nino joined by Armenteros in the final third. However, there is no place for Loe, who drops to the bench. Getafe, meanwhile, are without the injured Diego Castro, but Pedo Leon is fit to start. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a strong atmosphere. Just a reminder that Deportivo's defeat at Real Valladolid earlier this afternoon has kept Osasuna with their head above water. Three points in this match would hand their survival chances a major boost. However, Getafe still have European football on their mind.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening four minutes with neither side settling in this red-hot atmosphere. Sola does attempt to find Nino with a pass beyond the Getafe defence, but Mane is across to make the clearance. You just get the feeling that the opening goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match.
Good period for the home side in the last couple of moments with Silva and De las Cuevas both delivering high balls into the box, but Moya has been equal to the danger thus far. Getafe simply cannot get out of their own half as the pressure continues, but finding the back of the net has been Osasuna's problem this season.
It must be said that the home supporters are creating some noise inside the stadium, and their team are responding. Again it's bright work from Sola as the Spaniard drives into the box before cutting a pass towards Silva, but Rafa is out to clear at the vital moment. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about with eight minutes on the clock.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. Again Sola attempts to force the issue with a low cross into the box, but Moya comes out to claim under pressure from Nino. Still no real chances for either side with 10 minutes on the clock.
Half-chance for Armenteros this time as the Argentine strikes an effort from the edge of the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Lacen attempts to force the issue down the other end as he combines with Leon before curling an effort towards goal, but Andres Fernandez plucks the cross out of the air.
Decent spell for the away side in the last couple of moments with Lafita and Borja seeing more of the ball, but they have been unable to deliver the required quality thus far. Another half-chance for Osasuna moments later as Nino meets a cross from Silva, but his header is straight into the arms of Moya.
CHANCE! Just about the clearest opportunity of the match falls to the home side as Nino pokes a pass towards Sola, but the Spaniard is just denied by Mane at the final moment. Wonderful challenge from the Getafe defender. High-tempo opening 16 minutes of football, but still the score remains goalless.
The home supporters continue to create a fabulous atmosphere inside the stadium, but the tempo of the match has just dropped in the last couple of moments. It is the type of match that could be won by the single goal. Make no mistake about it, Getafe want this as much as Osasuna, the away side still have a chance of finishing in the top six.
Rafa becomes the first player to enter the referee's book for a late challenge on Sola outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Armenteros, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that Osasuna need to score during this period of pressure, because I am certain that Getafe will improve as the half advances.
Half-chance for the away side as Barrada collects a loose pass from Punal before striking an effort towards the top corner, but it was never really troubling Andres Fernandez in the Osasuna goal. Sola and Nino combine down the other end before De las Cuevas strikes one from distance, but Moya is down to make a fine save.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Glorious chance for Nino as the Spaniard meets a header from Arribas in front of an open goal, but somehow he clips his effort over the crossbar. That will go down as one of the misses of the season. Could that come back to haunt them, not just in this match, but in the remaining weeks of the season?
It's really bright work from Leon as the Getafe midfielder collects a pass from Borja before finding Barrada in the box, but Ruben is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. That is the danger for Osasuna, who are vulnerable on the counter. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining, still the score remains level at 0-0.
CHANCE! The opportunities are starting to arrive for the home side. This time it's De las Cuevas who delivers a wonderful cross into the box, but somehow Armenteros heads his effort wide of the post. He just had to score under no pressure. Somehow Getafe are still in this match, but they should be at least two goals behind.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with the home side once more coming close from distance as De las Cuevas tests Moya, but the Spaniard is across to make the save. The away side have possession down the other end moments later, but there are no takers on Leon's low cross into the box, before Leon's free kick is gathered by Fernandez.
Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. In fairness, it has not been that type of match, rather a genuine desire to regain possession. Another long-range strike comes from Silva, but his effort was straight into the arms of Moya, who has been the busier of the goalkeepers.
Osasuna continue to threaten with possession in and around the Getafe box, but the quality of the final pass just has not been there. A half-chance comes for Gavilan down the other end as he delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Fernandez manages to clear the danger. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
De las Cuevas again threatens to open the scoring from distance as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Plenty of attacking intent and chances for Osasuna, but they have thus far been unable to open the scoring. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the opening 38 minutes of football.
Not too much to report in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the opposing half. There is no question that Osasuna have been the better side, but the fact remains that they have not found the back of the net. The home supporters must be praised for their support this evening, it has been exceptional. Little under five minutes of the half remaining.
CHANCE! Getafe's best chance of the evening falls to Lafita as the Spaniard meets a cross from Leon, but he can only flash his header wide of the post. That is without question their clearest opportunity thus far. Somehow the match remains goalless as we enter the final moments of the first period.
Good possession from Osasuna in the latter stages of the half, but the opportunities have just dried up in the last couple of minutes. They do force a corner, but Mane rises highest to clear the danger. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Osasuna 0-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Osasuna have without question had the majority of the chances, but have been unable to find the back of the net. Disappointing showing from the away side thus far, however, with Getafe restricted to very few chances in the opening 45 minutes.
STATISTCS: The home side have had more of the possession with 55%, while they have had an incredible 10 attempts to Getafe's one. However, the fact that nine of Osasuna's 10 attempts have been off target is a clear indication of their struggled this season. Will they be made to regret those missed chances?
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking personnel on the bench in the shape of Shojaei, Joseba Llorente and Cejudo. Meanwhile, Getafe have the likes of Pablo Sarabia, Alvaro and Adrian Colunga in reserve. It is the type of match where the substitutes could play a major part.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. As it stands, Osasuna would move above Real Zaragoza into 16th, while Getafe would remain eighth. Right, the home side get the half underway.
Excuse me, there was indeed one change at the interval for the away side with Michel entering the field in place of Borja, who picked up a booking in the first period. That should not effect the shape of their side. Bright start to the half from Osasuna as Sola collects possession outside the box, but his shot is wide of the post.
Half-chance for Getafe as Barrada strikes a free kick outside the box, but it is straight into the arms of Fernandez. You have to question just how much Getafe want the three points this evening. Still the noise continues to grow inside the stadium with the Osasuna supporters doing their best to motivate their side. The players cannot ask for much more.
Both managers are very animated on the sidelines, especially Luis Garcia who is waving his arms around frantically, I wish I could make sense of what is being said. Better from Getafe in the last couple of moments with Lafita and Gavilan both sliding passes beyond the Osasuna defence, but Barrada is caught offside on each occasion.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Damia bursts forward from defence before striking an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the target. If Osasuna had someone who could put the ball in the back of the net then they would be comfortably mid-table this season. It has been a real Achilles heel for the home side.
The pressure continues from the home side with Nino and Sola both involved in the final third, but Mane is across to clear at the vital moment. Lafita has a half-chance down the other end, but he could only clip his effort into the arms of Fernandez. You just get the feeling that the opening goal is coming.
Getafe force the issue with a couple of set-plays, but the usually reliable Leon has been unable to find a decent delivery this evening. Osasuna want a penalty moments later as Leon appears to fell De las Cuevas in the box, but the referee is not interested. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at the El Sadar.
Another half-chance for De Las Cuevas as the Spaniard cuts inside Valera before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but once more Moya is across to make the save. Osasuna have had enough opportunities to win five football matches this evening. As it stands, they are out of the bottom three, but three points would give them breathing room ahead of the final three games.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance. How on earth has Sola not scored? Wonderful cross from De las Cuevas, but somehow the striker can only smash his header against the post. What's more, it spins off the inside of the post before landing into the arms of Moya.
Just a few signs of Getafe growing in confidence here as they start to make moves in the final third of the pitch, but the home side have been defensively sound thus far. It's good work from Leon as he rounds Bertran, but Damia is across to make a fine challenge. Still it remains goalless with 65 minutes on the clock.
Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges. The latest allows Leon the chance to whip another cross into the Osasuna box, but Damia is out to clear. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at the El Sadar. As far as goalless matches go, this has been a cracker.
Change for the home side as Oier enters the field in place of Ruben Gonzalez, who did appear to be struggling with an injury. Oier, by the looks of it, will move into the middle of defence. De las Cuevas again threatens with a mazy run for Osasuna, but he runs down a blind alley with Juan Valera across to clear the danger.
Punal becomes the latest to enter the referee's book as the match becomes slightly laboured in terms of the tempo and challenges from both sides. I think it would be fair to say that one goal would be enough to pick up all three points in this one. Just a quick reminder that following this match we have action from Espanyol against Real Madrid.
Getafe make a change of their own as Adrian Colunga replaces Gavilan, who has been quiet in the second period. Neither side is really in control of the match at the moment as each commits players in forward positions, but we are no closer to the opening goal with little over 15 minutes remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as De las Cuevas finds the head of Sola in the box, but once more the Spaniard can only clip his effort wide of the post. There is no question that Osasuna should be leading this match, but they have been unable to take their chances. Are we heading for a goalless draw this evening?
CHANCE! Oh my word. Another wonderful chance for Nino as the Osasuna striker beats the offside trap before striking an effort from close range, but Moya is across to make a fine save. That proves to be his last action as Joseba Llorente comes on to replace the striker.
GOAL! Osasuna 1-0 Getafe (Arribas)
Osasuna draw first blood! It is long overdue, but they have the lead as Arribas rises in the box before thumping his header into the back of the net. You cannot say that it has not been coming. That goal could keep them in the division.
It has been 520 minutes since Osasuna last found the back of the net in this stadium, but that has now been ended. Wonderful noise inside the ground as we approach the final 10 minutes. Will we have late drama here? Getafe are more than capable of finding a goal of their own.
Not too much in terms of a response from Getafe, who in truth have been second best this evening. There is a sense of nervousness around the stadium, however, with just the one goal separating the two sides. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining in the Estadio El Sadar.
Getafe make their third change of the match as Alvaro, who has scored four goals this season, enters the field in place of Lacen. Positive change from Luis Garcia. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Osasuna enjoying possession of the ball in the opposing half.
Half-chance for Leon as the Getafe midfielder strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The look from Barrada says it all. It has not been their night this evening. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
I don't think anyone could begrudge Osasuna all three points this evening if they do indeed hold onto the victory in the latter stages. Barrada attempts to force the issue for Getafe as he combines with Leon before striking an effort from distance, but it was always moving wide of the post. Will we have late drama here?
Half-chance for Colunga as the Getafe striker meets a pass from Barrada, but he can only slice high and wide of the crossbar. Final change for the home side as De las Cuevas is replaced by Masoud Shojaei. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of stoppage time.
Not too much to report in the final couple of moments with Osasuna moving towards a well-deserved three points. Getafe have been very poor this evening it must be said, but credit must be given to the home side. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining. Osasuna have possession in the Getafe half.
FULL-TIME: Osasuna 1-0 Getafe
So there we have it. Arribas's header after 74 minutes is enough to hand all three points to Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Espanyol against Real Madrid. Until then!
