Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad (Sep 14, 2024) Game Analysis

Real Madrid‘s Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé converted second-half penalties to give the champions a hard-fought 2-0 win at Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Saturday.

It was a high-paced, entertaining affair in the Basque Country with both sides missing a string of chances, including three strikes off the woodwork by the home side.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 58th minute with Vinícius netting a penalty after a handball by midfielder Sergio Gomez before Mbappé secured the points by scoring his spot kick in the 75th after Vinícius was fouled.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid team remain second but now have 11 points, one behind Barcelona who visit fifth-placed Girona on Sunday. Madrid open their Champions League defence against Stuttgart on Tuesday.

Real Sociedad matched Madrid’s punch in a frenetic first half. Luka Sucic hit the post twice, including a missile that rattled the crossbar in the 25th, and Sheraldo Becker also sent a ball off the crossbar.

At the other end, Madrid relied on Mbappé to provide its main threat, while Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro did well to turn back an Antonio Rüdiger header.

Sucic sent another ball off the post from a pass by Umar Sadiq just seconds after half-time.

But Real Sociedad were undone when Gómez raised his arm above his head and blocked a shot by Arda Güler, allowing Vinícius to go to the spot where he fired right past Remiro. Mbappé then beat Remiro when he shot one way as the goalie dove the other.

Madrid forward Brahim Díaz was substituted in the first half with an apparent leg issue.