Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid -Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior penalties bail out Los Blancos
Published 14/09/2024 at 22:53 GMT+1
Real Madrid continued their unbeaten start to the season as they beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on Saturday night, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior both scoring from the penalty spot in La Liga action. It took almost 60 minutes for Carlo Ancelotti's side to break the deadlock in a match where they were often second best. They now sit a point behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
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Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Reale Arena on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior scoring from the penalty spot in the Liga clash.
While the match was entertaining and high-paced, it threatened to be another tough night for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who have made a sluggish start to the season with two draws in their opening four league games before this win.
The 2-0 scoreline was deceptive, implying a comfortable win for the reigning champions on their trip to the Basque Country, but the hosts were in charge often.
Sociedad hit the woodwork three times, with Croatian starlet Luka Sucic being denied twice by the post as the hosts created frequent chances and troubled Ancelotti's side.
Sheraldo Becker hit the post in a first half in which Los Blancos were middling and unable to create a clear chance.
The half-time break did the visitors a world of good, and they re-emerged as a much more effective attacking unit.
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Their improved offensive output paid dividends in the 58th minute when former Manchester City player Sergio Gomez was penalised for a handball in the box as he attempted to block Arda Guler's shot.
Vinicius stepped up and buried the penalty despite Sociedad 'keeper Alex Remiro getting the slightest of touches on the ball.
Just under 20 minutes later, Mbappe had a penalty of his own nestled in the net. This time it was Vinicius who won the spot kick, jinking past two defenders before being tripped.
Mbappe sent Remiro the wrong way and Madrid could finally feel comfortable.
It was Madrid's fourth penalty in five La Liga games and they have converted all four so far.
Mbappe's start in the Spanish capital has been slow, scoring in just one La Liga game before the Sociedad win.
As has been a recurring theme this season, the Frenchman spent large periods of the game attacking from the left wing, switching and overlapping with Vinicius as the pair continued to find a way to coexist in Ancelotti's changing Madrid side.
The win sees Madrid move into second, one point behind Barcelona, who have started the season transformed under Hansi Flick.
Attention now turns to Real's UEFA Champions League defence, as they start the campaign off against Bundesliga side Stuttgart on Tuesday night.
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