Real Madrid overcome Real Sociedad with second-half penalties

Vinicius Jr and Mbappe each converted penalties as Los Blancos close gap on Barcelona

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN:

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe each converted second-half penalties to secure a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team took the lead in the 58th minute when Vinicius netted from the spot after an Arda Guler shot struck the raised arm of Sociedad midfielder Sergio Gomez, who reflexively moved to protect his face.

Mbappe sealed the win with a penalty in the 75th minute after Vinicius was stepped on by a defender in a late challenge that went unnoticed by the referee but was awarded following a VAR review.

Real Madrid remain second in the league, now with 11 points, just one behind Barcelona, who are set to face fifth-placed Girona on Sunday. Madrid must now regroup quickly for their Champions League opener against Stuttgart at home on Tuesday.

The match in the Basque Country was fast-paced and exciting, with both teams missing several chances, including three efforts from Real Sociedad that struck the woodwork.

Real Madrid, dealing with injury issues affecting David Alaba, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, and Aurelien Tchouameni, made three changes from the team that defeated Real Betis before the international break.

However, Ancelotti faced another setback early in the match when Morocco's attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz was forced off with what appeared to be a right leg muscle injury in the 24th minute.

Brahim had been one of Madrid's standout players, creating opportunities for Mbappe, who was denied on three occasions by goalkeeper Alex Remiro, including a spectacular one-handed save from Antonio Rüdiger's header in the 29th minute.

Real Sociedad threatened on the counter-attack, with Luka Sucic and Sheraldo Becker hitting the crossbar in the 25th and 39th minutes. Sucic again hit the post early in the second half, narrowly missing a chance to put the hosts ahead, while Thibaut Courtois made a superb one-handed stop to deny Igor Zubeldia’s close-range header.