Real Madrid extended their unbeaten La Liga run to 37 games but were made to work hard for a 2-0 victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday. Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe converted second-half penalties to secure all three points for the visitors.
Sociedad were the more threatening side in a thrilling first half, hitting the woodwork on three occasions. Luka Sucic, their new arrival, was particularly impressive, forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois and rattling the bar with a long-range effort.
Madrid, missing key midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, struggled to create clear openings in the first half. However, they came into their own after the break. The breakthrough came on 58 minutes when Vinicius Jr. coolly converted a penalty after Sergio Gomez handled Arda Guler’s shot.
Mbappe then doubled Madrid’s lead from the spot in the 75th minute after Jon Aramburu clattered into Vinicius Jr. inside the box. The French forward now has three goals in five La Liga appearances for Los Blancos.
“It was a tough game,” admitted Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. “We probably didn’t deserve to win, but we showed great commitment and character, especially when things weren’t going our way.”
The win keeps Madrid within a point of leaders Barcelona, who play Girona on Sunday. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, remain in 16th position after suffering their third home defeat of the season.