MADRID – Real Madrid moved to the top of LaLiga with a convincing 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, a result fueled by a creative performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold and a brace of penalties from Vinícius Júnior. The win, secured without the presence of Kylian Mbappé in the starting lineup, extends Real Madrid’s unbeaten run in the league to eight games.
The opening goal arrived just five minutes into the match, courtesy of a beautifully weighted pass from Alexander-Arnold that found Gonzalo García, who tapped the ball home. It was Alexander-Arnold’s second assist of the season, a welcome contribution after a campaign hampered by injury, limiting him to just 12 appearances across all competitions. The assist highlighted the balance Alexander-Arnold can bring to the team’s attack, something that has been a point of discussion throughout the season.
Real Sociedad responded with a penalty of their own, converted by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 21st minute after Dean Huijsen conceded a spot-kick for a challenge on Yangel Herrera. However, Madrid quickly regained control. Vinícius Júnior successfully converted a penalty in the 25th minute, awarded after he was fouled, and Federico Valverde added a fourth goal six minutes later, establishing a comfortable lead for the hosts.
Vinícius Júnior completed the scoring with another penalty in the second half, bringing his league tally to 10 goals for the season. Despite the comfortable scoreline, Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa acknowledged that there were opportunities to extend their lead further, but praised the team’s efficiency in converting their chances.
Arbeloa’s decision to start Alexander-Arnold ahead of the returning Dani Carvajal proved to be a shrewd one. The England international showcased his ability to not only deliver pinpoint crosses but also to operate effectively in central areas, offering tactical flexibility. “We’re lucky to have a player like that,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV, praising Alexander-Arnold’s intelligence and understanding of the game. “He’s not the typical full-back who’s always going to be out wide, he can also play centrally. We want players to be able to interchange positions.”
The shift in personnel also allowed Valverde to return to his preferred midfield role, adding further dynamism to the Real Madrid engine room. The presence of Alexander-Arnold’s creative passing range allows the entire attacking unit to focus on making runs and finding space, a benefit that was clearly on display against Real Sociedad.
While the victory was comprehensive, it came with a slight caveat. Young defender Huijsen’s rash challenge leading to the Sociedad penalty was a reminder of the need for continued discipline. However, with Mbappé having missed some training sessions during the week with discomfort in his left knee, his absence from the starting eleven was a precautionary measure, and Arbeloa evidently didn’t need to rely on his star forward to secure the win.
The result sets up an intriguing battle at the top of LaLiga, with Real Madrid now two points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand. More immediately, however, Real Madrid’s attention turns to their Champions League playoff tie against Benfica on Tuesday. Having dropped into the playoff round after finishing second in their group, Los Blancos face a challenging tie against a dangerous Benfica side. The team dinner, reportedly funded by Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, may have been a team-building exercise ahead of the crucial European encounter.
Real Madrid’s recent struggles in the Copa del Rey, where they were surprisingly eliminated by Albacete last month, underscore the importance of success in both LaLiga and the Champions League this season. Securing the league title and making a deep run in Europe’s premier club competition remain the club’s top priorities. A convincing victory over Benfica on Tuesday would be a significant step towards achieving those goals and finding the balance Arbeloa is seeking.
Pellegrino Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad, despite the defeat, have undergone a significant turnaround in form under the American manager and remain in contention for a Copa del Rey final appearance. Losing at the Santiago Bernabéu is hardly a setback to be ashamed of, but it does highlight the challenge they face in consistently competing with the league’s elite.
