Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe Penalties Secure Real Madrid’s 2-0 Win Over Real Sociedad

Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe Penalties Help Real Madrid Secure 2-0 Win Over Real Sociedad

Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe both converted penalties as Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in a tightly contested La Liga match on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The win moved the reigning Spanish champions within one point of league leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s Tough Battle Against Real Sociedad

The match at the Reale Arena saw Real Sociedad hit the woodwork three times, but Real Madrid capitalized on their chances in the second half. Coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted his side didn’t fully deserve the win but praised their commitment and resilience in the tough moments of the game.

"It was a difficult game. Real Sociedad played very well, and we had to dig deep. I value the sacrifice and commitment from the team," Ancelotti said after the match.

Vinicius Junior and Mbappe Deliver From the Spot

Both of Real Madrid's goals came from the penalty spot in the second half. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring in the 58th minute after Real Sociedad's Sergio Gomez was penalized for handling the ball inside the box. Shortly after, Kylian Mbappe added a second penalty after Jon Aramburu fouled Vinicius.

Mbappe’s goal marked his third in five La Liga matches for Real Madrid, although two of them have been from penalties. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois highlighted the impact of the duo, stating, "In open play, they're still finding their rhythm, but they are creating a lot of danger. Penalty goals count too."

Real Sociedad’s Unlucky Night

Real Sociedad started the match strongly, hitting the woodwork on three occasions, including a powerful strike from Luka Sucic in the first half. Sheraldo Becker also struck the bar, while Sucic’s low effort in the second half hit the post, leaving the Basque side frustrated.

"We had a great first half and many chances, but the penalty changed the game for us," Real Sociedad’s Igor Zubeldia commented after the match.

Real Madrid’s Unbeaten Streak Continues

With this win, Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 37 matches, with their last defeat dating back to September 2023. Despite the challenge posed by Real Sociedad, Los Blancos showed their defensive strength and clinical finishing, especially when it mattered most.

Upcoming Matches

Real Madrid will now shift focus to their Champions League opener against Stuttgart on Tuesday, while Real Sociedad will look to bounce back in their next La Liga fixture. Despite the loss, Real Sociedad can take confidence from their performance as they aim to climb the league standings.