On Matchday 24 of LaLiga, Real Madrid hosted Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu and ultimately secured a clear 4:1 victory. After an intense and open first half, the hosts took control of the match and proved clinical from the penalty spot. Two goals from Vinícius Júnior after the break effectively sealed the win and capped off a dominant attacking display.
Los Blancos had won ten of their eleven home matches in the league so far this season and entered the game in second place behind FC Barcelona. Sociedad had climbed to eighth place thanks to their win over Elche CF on the previous matchday. Both teams had been unbeaten in their last seven league matches prior to this encounter.
Kylian Mbappé was not in Madrid’s starting lineup, as he has not yet fully recovered. This despite the fact that he had scored in each of his last six league appearances. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior returned to the team after serving his suspension, having missed the previous match at the Mestalla against Valencia.
The Basque side’s confidence was evident from the very first minute. Since the arrival of coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, they had gone nine matches unbeaten and were enjoying arguably their most successful spell of the season. The first attempt of the match also belonged to the visitors from San Sebastián. Nevertheless, Gonzalo García gave Real Madrid the lead after just five minutes. Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning to the starting lineup after a lengthy injury layoff, delivered a low cross into the box where the striker failed to connect cleanly, yet still saw the ball roll past goalkeeper Álex Remiro and into the net.
Even after conceding early, Real Sociedad remained composed and patiently searched for openings. Matarazzo’s attacking approach, including aggressive pressing, was clearly visible and repeatedly forced turnovers from the home side. The match developed into an open and balanced contest with chances at both ends. However, Sociedad’s equaliser did not come from open play but from the penalty spot. Dean Huijsen’s attempted clearance tackle came far too late and brought Yangel Herrera down inside the box. Sociedad’s top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and calmly converted for his 11th goal of the season.
Shortly afterwards, the referee pointed to the spot again, this time in front of Remiro’s goal: Jon Aramburu caught Vinícius Júnior with a clumsy challenge on the foot. The Brazilian took the penalty himself and ruthlessly converted. After 25 minutes, the score stood at 2:1 for Real Madrid.
Just six minutes later, Federico Valverde extended the lead with his first league goal of the season. On the edge of the box, the Real captain created space with a feint and curled Álvaro Carreras’ pass into the right corner to make it 3:1.
In the following minutes, the visitors appeared more error-prone and increasingly nervous under the pressure applied by Real Madrid. Los Blancos seemed to have found their rhythm and were largely able to recover possession quickly through counter-pressing.
Only seconds after the restart, the referee awarded another penalty. It was the third of the match and the second for Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior once again converted confidently after being brought down by Aramburu.
In the subsequent phase, it became difficult for the Basque side to regain a foothold in the match. The attacking intensity from the first half was virtually gone and clear-cut chances were lacking.
Trent left the field after around 60 minutes to loud applause from the crowd. He was replaced by Dani Carvajal, who had recently appeared dissatisfied due to limited playing time. Real Sociedad threatened again shortly afterwards when Aihen Muñoz capitalised on a lapse from the substitute Carvajal inside the six-yard box. The full-back did not seem fully focused, inadvertently heading the ball into his opponent’s path instead of clearing it. Aihen struck the ball on the volley and nearly scored, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reacted superbly and produced a flawless save.
The match became lively once more as the visitors mobilised their remaining energy and pushed forward. This forced Los Blancos to drop slightly deeper and avoid unnecessary risks. Nevertheless, the spectators witnessed several big chances in the final half hour. Both teams had one goal disallowed for offside. Neither side managed to score again, and the entertaining contest ultimately ended 4:1 in favour of the hosts.
Real Madrid thus celebrated their eighth consecutive LaLiga victory and temporarily moved to the top of the table, while awaiting Monday’s Catalan derby between Girona FC and FC Barcelona. At the latest after Vinícius Júnior’s goal shortly after the break, in a match in which Mbappé did not feature at all, the game was decided. Real Sociedad remain in eighth place despite a committed performance and still have the European spots within reach. The visitors kept trying until the end but ultimately lacked attacking penetration. For Matarazzo, it was the first defeat in his tenth competitive match as Sociedad coach.
For the team of Álvaro Arbeloa, a Champions League double-header against Benfica and a visit to CA Osasuna at El Sadar are still on the schedule until the end of February. The side from San Sebastián will host Real Oviedo next Saturday in their next LaLiga fixture.