IMAGO/NurPhoto/Guillermo Martinez

Joselu scored the first La Liga brace of his Real Madrid career to deliver a 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday night.

The former Stoke and Newcastle forward finished off a 22-pass move with a close-range header to put Madrid in front in the 14th minute.

Joselu then doubled his team's lead 10 minutes into the second half with a low left-footed strike from 17 yards following an assist by Vinicius Junior.

He had the chance to complete his hat-trick moments later but unselfishly opted to play a square pass to Vinicius, who was denied by a Getafe keeper David Soria.

Madrid's victory took them top of La Liga - two points ahead of Girona.

But it was not all good news for Carlo Ancelotti, who had to sub Antonio Rudiger off at half-time.

Rudiger's premature departure was due to a thigh injury.

The German center-back appeared to pick up the injury in the 41st minute when he forcefully tackled Mason Greenwood.

Highlights: Getafe 0-2 Real Madrid

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Kings make huge decision on head coach Mike Brown
Oilers beat Stars to take 3-2 lead in WCF
Orioles lose two starting pitchers to season-ending surgeries
Yankees' Aaron Judge, Juan Soto make MLB history with impressive offensive numbers
Caitlin Clark frustrated by physical WNBA play: 'I feel like I'm getting hammered'
Bills give Olympic gold medalist chance in NFL
An epic temper tantrum highlighted Day 6 of the French Open
Broncos' Sean Payton shares promising Bo Nix update amid competition
Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla blasts media for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown coverage
Pistons parting ways with GM after hiring new head of ops
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight temporarily postponed
Suns fill out Mike Budenholzer's coaching staff
Timberwolves boycotted TNT in support of criticized bigs
Watch: Oilers offense responds after big hit on Corey Perry
Seahawks WR doesn’t hold back on praise for QB Sam Howell
Report: Cowboys quietly 'all in' on Dak Prescott decision
Diamondbacks ace heading to injured list with hamstring strain
Golden Knights, key winger have mutual interest but face financial crunch
Pelicans to defer Lakers' first-rounder to 2025
Former top-10 WR pick speaks on retirement regret, comeback try