Despite missing Kylian Mbappé (knee discomfort) and Jude Bellingham (hamstring), Madrid’s depth proved decisive under head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who rotated effectively. The victory also ended Real Sociedad’s impressive 11-game unbeaten run.
Early Fireworks at the Bernabéu
Madrid struck almost immediately. Gonzalo García opened the scoring in the fifth minute, capitalizing on an early defensive lapse to energize the home crowd.
Real Sociedad responded in the 21st minute when Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Dean Huijsen fouled Herrera inside the area.
The parity was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Vinícius Júnior restored Madrid’s lead from the spot after Jon Aramburu brought him down. The Brazilian showed composure to slot home his first of the night.
Momentum firmly swung Madrid’s way, and Federico Valverde made it 3-1 in the 31st minute with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box—his first goal of the season and one that underlined his growing influence in midfield.
Vinícius Brace Seals Dominance
Madrid wasted no time after the break. Three minutes into the second half, Vinícius stepped up again to convert another penalty after Aramburu was penalized for a challenge inside the area. His brace effectively put the contest beyond doubt.
Though Sociedad pushed in the latter stages, Thibaut Courtois produced several important saves to preserve Madrid’s comfortable advantage.
Rotation Pays Off
Arbeloa’s squad management was a major talking point. Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed at right-back before being substituted on the hour mark, earning one of the highest ratings of the night. Valverde was pivotal in controlling tempo, while the midfield trio rotated seamlessly as substitutions freshened the side.
Real Madrid now sit two points clear at the summit ahead of Barcelona’s Monday fixture against Girona, strengthening their title credentials as the season enters its decisive phase.
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