MADRID (AP) — Vinicius Junior scored two penalties and a Real Madrid team without superstar Kylian Mbappé beat Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday to move to the top of La Liga.
Mbappe watched the game from the bench after missing some team training this week due to discomfort in his left knee. Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Friday that he was available to play but had no intention of rushing the star goal-getter.
Nor was there any need for it.
Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, absent with a hamstring injury, watched as Madrid put in a solid team performance to end the visitors’ 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions and move two points clear of Barcelona before the defending champions visit Girona on Monday.
Team captain Fede Valverde, who scored his first goal of the season, said, “I think we did a great job both defensively and up front.” “We had a lot of chances but we couldn’t convert them. They had chances too, but (goalkeeper Thibaut) Courtois was great. It was a great game from the whole team.”
Perhaps Tuesday’s team dinner at a fancy restaurant, paid for by Mbappe and Vinicius, helped the players focus ahead of next week’s Champions League play-offs against Benfica.
Gonzalo Garcia scored the first goal in the fifth minute with just a touch from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. However, it was a very frustrating match for the young attacker as he was unable to capitalize on any other good opportunities.
Dean Huisen brought down Younger Herrera to concede a penalty, and Mikel Oyarzabal equalized in the 21st minute with a powerful shot high up the middle.
Four minutes later, John Aramburu grabbed Vinicius’ ankle and caused him to fall, prompting referee Francisco Jose Hernández Maeso to award another penalty. The Brazilian put his foot down to score from the spot in the 25th.
Valverde thankfully scored his third goal in the 31st minute after being given too much space in front of the penalty area, but Gonzalo should have scored again when Valverde scored what looked like a simple tap-in.
Vinicius converted his second spot-kick after the break to make it 4-1 after being penalized again for bringing Aramburu down.
Dani Carvajal made his long-awaited return an hour before replacing Alexander-Arnold for his first league appearance since Madrid lost 2-1 to Barcelona in October. Carvajal was reportedly unhappy with 21-year-old Castilla player David Jimenez playing as right-back in last weekend’s game against Valencia.
Coach Valverde said after his team won eight consecutive league games, “The most important thing is to win. The team needs to get three points and maintain this momentum.”
Iglesias continues to persist for Celta
Borja Iglesias scored in stoppage time to earn Celta Vigo a 2-2 draw with Espanyol after another seemingly good goal was canceled by VAR.
A frustrated Iglesias shook his head and smiled after his goal was ruled out for offside following a long check in the 77th minute.
His frustration increased in the 86th minute when Ramon Telaz won the ball back to fellow substitute Tyris Dolan and scored what appeared to be Espanyol’s deciding goal.
However, a good run from Sergio Carreira led to Pablo Duran scoring with his heel, and Iglesias equalized in the third minute of stoppage time.
Espanyol remained in 6th place, with Celta in 7th place, one point behind.
Also on Saturday, Getafe survived an upset 2-1 win over visiting Villarreal, while 10-man Sevilla drew 1-1 with Alaves in a tough two-man clash.
Sevilla midfielder Juanlu was sent off in the 16th minute with a second yellow card for a vicious challenge.
Sevilla manager Matias Almeida was also sent off late and was furious with the referee before being persuaded to leave.
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