Quick Read
- Kylian Mbappé scored and assisted as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-1.
- Madrid played over an hour with 10 men after Dean Huijsen’s red card.
Mbappé’s Brilliance Steals the Show
Kylian Mbappé continues to prove why he’s one of the most electrifying players in football today. On Saturday night, Real Madrid faced an uphill battle against Real Sociedad in La Liga. Despite being reduced to ten men in the first half, the French superstar’s dynamic performance ensured that Los Blancos came away with a gritty 2-1 victory, keeping their perfect start to the season intact.
Mbappé opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive blunder by Sociedad. A loose back-pass turned into an opportunity for Mbappé, who darted past two defenders before finishing clinically for his fourth goal of the season. Later, he turned provider, setting up Arda Güler for Madrid’s second goal with a trademark run and a precise assist. Even as Sociedad pushed hard in the second half, Real Madrid held firm to claim three crucial points.
A Red Card Changes the Game
The match was far from straightforward for Real Madrid. On the 29th minute, Dean Huijsen, the 20-year-old center-back recently signed from Bournemouth, was shown a straight red card for pulling down Mikel Oyarzabal as he charged toward goal. The decision sparked immediate debate. Real Sociedad coach Xabi Alonso, himself a former Madrid player, voiced his disagreement, arguing that Éder Militão was close enough to cover and the ball was not under full control.
“For me, it was a yellow card,” Alonso said after the game. “I asked for clarification from the referee, but I wasn’t convinced by the explanation.” Despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid displayed remarkable composure and resilience, with Mbappé leading the charge.
Sociedad Fight Back
Real Sociedad capitalized on their advantage in the second half. A Dani Carvajal handball inside the box gave Sociedad a lifeline, as Oyarzabal converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 in the 55th minute. From there, the hosts mounted wave after wave of attacks, with Ander Barrenetxea and Takefusa Kubo looking particularly dangerous. However, Real Madrid’s defense, anchored by Thibaut Courtois in goal, held firm under intense pressure.
In the dying moments of the match, a rare mistake by Courtois almost gifted Sociedad an equalizer, but the Belgian goalkeeper recovered just in time to keep the ball out of the net.
Mbappé’s Impact: Beyond the Numbers
While the statistics tell part of the story—Mbappé completed all seven dribbles he attempted, the highest in Europe’s top five leagues this season—his influence on the pitch goes beyond mere numbers. His ability to create chances out of nothing and his leadership in crucial moments are invaluable for Real Madrid. With this victory, Madrid sit comfortably at the top of the La Liga table with 12 points from four games, three ahead of second-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Mbappé’s record against Real Sociedad is also worth noting. In six matches against the Basque club, he has now scored seven goals, making them one of his favorite opponents in Spain. Only against Barcelona has he scored more goals outside France.
What Lies Ahead
Real Madrid’s victory sets the stage for a thrilling La Liga season. With Barcelona yet to play their match against Valencia, Madrid have asserted themselves as early favorites for the title. However, the challenges are far from over. The red card for Huijsen highlights potential vulnerabilities in the squad’s depth, particularly in defense.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid, after a slow start to the season, finally found their rhythm with a 2-0 win over Villarreal. Goals from Pablo Barrios and Nico González provided a much-needed boost for Diego Simeone’s side ahead of their Champions League clash against Liverpool.
As for Sociedad, they showed promise but ultimately fell short. Coach Xabi Alonso will look to build on this performance as his team aims for a strong finish in La Liga this season.
Mbappé’s performance against Real Sociedad was a reminder of his unique ability to change the course of a match single-handedly. As Real Madrid continue their pursuit of domestic and European glory, the Frenchman’s form will be pivotal in defining their season.