Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-1 despite playing an hour with ten men, with Kylian Mbappé scoring and assisting before Arda Güler added the second. Mikel Oyarzabal pulled one back from the spot, but Madrid held firm to stay top of LaLiga.
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Real Madrid, driven by the explosive pace and influence of Kylian Mbappé, underlined their title ambitions on Saturday evening by grinding out a 2-1 victory away to Real Sociedad in LaLiga.
The match at the Reale Arena proved to be a stern test of character for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who were forced to play an entire hour with ten men following Dean Huijsen’s dismissal but still found the resilience and quality needed to secure all three points. The result not only kept Madrid’s 100% record intact but also moved them three points clear at the top of the table, creating early separation from their closest challengers.
The narrative of the night was shaped by Mbappé. The French star, who has already become the focal point of Madrid’s attack since his high-profile summer move, wasted no time in stamping his authority on the game. After having an earlier effort ruled out for a razor-thin offside decision, he capitalised on a defensive lapse from the home side to fire Madrid ahead in the 12th minute. The goal was a textbook example of Mbappé’s instincts: quick to anticipate an error, ruthless in transition, and clinical in the finish. The early breakthrough silenced the Sociedad crowd and allowed Madrid to impose their rhythm in the opening stages.
However, the flow of the contest shifted dramatically just past the half-hour mark. Huijsen, the young centre-back entrusted with a rare start, was sent off in the 32nd minute after hauling down Mikel Oyarzabal, who was breaking clear towards goal. The red card appeared to hand Sociedad a lifeline and threatened to undo Madrid’s early advantage. Yet, instead of retreating into their shell, Ancelotti’s men struck a decisive blow just before half-time. Mbappé, still Madrid’s most dangerous outlet even with reduced numbers, surged past his marker down the flank and squared for Arda Güler. The 19-year-old Turkish prodigy showed remarkable composure, slotting home in the 44th minute to double the visitors’ lead. It was a statement moment: Madrid, even with ten men, were not only surviving but still creating and finishing chances at a high level.
The second half inevitably saw Sociedad push forward with their numerical superiority. Their intensity increased and Madrid were forced to defend deeper, relying heavily on Antonio Rüdiger’s leadership at the back and the tireless work of Eduardo Camavinga in midfield to plug gaps. Sociedad came close to halving the deficit when Pablo Marín unleashed a thunderous effort that crashed against both posts in quick succession a moment that had the home supporters gasping and Madrid’s defence scrambling. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 56th minute, when Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Dani Carvajal was adjudged to have handled inside the box. The captain’s calm finish reignited the contest and gave the hosts belief that a comeback was on the cards.
The final half-hour turned into a test of endurance for Madrid. Sociedad poured forward, pinning the visitors back and testing their defensive discipline. Yet, despite waves of pressure, the home side struggled to create clear chances beyond long-range efforts and speculative crosses. Madrid, while limited in attack, continued to show their tactical maturity, slowing the tempo and managing the game whenever possible. Ancelotti’s substitutions added fresh legs, and the collective resilience of the team carried them through the tense closing stages. At the final whistle, Madrid’s players celebrated not just another win but a demonstration of their capacity to dig deep in adversity.
The victory propelled Madrid to the top of LaLiga with a three-point cushion over Athletic Bilbao and Getafe, though Bilbao still had the chance to close the gap later in the evening against Alavés. Rivals Barcelona, last season’s champions, now trail by five points with a game in hand, but early signs suggest that Madrid are intent on setting the pace in the title race. Mbappé’s influence, already evident, looks set to be decisive over the long campaign, while the emergence of young talents like Güler provides further encouragement for supporters.
For Real Sociedad, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite enjoying an extra man for over an hour and dominating the second half, they failed to fully capitalise on their advantage. The result left them languishing in 17th place, just above the relegation zone, a position far below expectations for a club accustomed to competing in the top half and European places. Oyarzabal’s goal offered some consolation, but the lack of cutting edge in open play remains a concern for Imanol Alguacil’s side.
Elsewhere in the league, Getafe continued their strong start to the season by moving provisionally into third place with a 2-0 home victory over Oviedo. Portuguese defender Domingos Duarte started in the back line, helping to secure a clean sheet, while the goals came in quick succession during first-half stoppage time. Mario Martin broke the deadlock in the 45+4th minute, and Borja Mayoral doubled the advantage five minutes later in the 45+9th, effectively settling the contest before the break. The result reinforced Getafe’s early-season momentum and highlighted their growing confidence as an emerging contender in the upper reaches of the table.
In the broader context of LaLiga, the weekend reinforced Madrid’s position as the team to beat. Winning away at a traditionally difficult venue like Anoeta, while playing with ten men for so long, sends a powerful message to their rivals. With Mbappé already delivering goals and assists, and with the squad blending established stars with youthful energy, the “Merengues” appear well-equipped to mount a serious push for the title. For the chasing pack, the pressure is already mounting and for Barcelona in particular, the margin for error is shrinking early in the season.
