Real Sociedad 1-2 Real Madrid: Report, result and goals as Los Blancos stay top of La Liga

Real Madrid survived a late Real Sociedad onslaught to secure a 2-1 victory at Anoeta, with Kylian Mbappe once again proving to be the difference.

The French superstar opened the scoring with a clinical finish before teeing up Arda Guler for Madrid’s second, while Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty gave the hosts hope in a thrilling second half.

The game exploded into life within two minutes, when Mbappe burst through to set up Guler, only for VAR to rule the Frenchman marginally offside.

Madrid continued to threaten and were rewarded on 12 minutes, as Goti’s loose back-pass was punished by Mbappe, who sped clear before coolly finishing past Alex Remiro.

The visitors then had chances through Militao and Huijsen, while Sociedad’s Barrenetxea went close from distance.

The match turned in the 32nd minute when Dean Huijsen was shown a straight red card for hauling down Oyarzabal as last man. Despite the setback, Madrid doubled their lead before the break. Mbappe danced past his marker to square for Guler, who slotted home his first goal of the night.

Sociedad roared back after the restart and thought they had equalised when Marin’s deflected strike cannoned off both posts before being cleared.

Moments later, a Carvajal handball gave Oyarzabal the chance to halve the deficit, and he duly converted.

The hosts pushed on relentlessly, with Caleta-Car, Kubo, and Karrikaburu all going close, but Thibaut Courtois stood firm in the Madrid goal.

Mbappe, who was later forced off with a quad issue, was the standout figure once again. He produced a goal, an assist, and relentless attacking threat, registering 0.7 xG on his own and winning six of nine duels in a tireless display.

Sociedad will rue their missed chances, particularly in a frantic final 10 minutes when Courtois’ goalmouth lived a charmed life. Yet for all their attacking pressure, the Basque side could not break down Madrid’s resilience.

Xabi Alonso’s men leave San Sebastian with three hard-earned points despite playing an hour with 10 men.

For Sociedad, defeat will sting after creating 17 attempts and generating nearly 2.0 xG, but they showed plenty of fight to suggest results will soon follow.