VIncius Junior scored two penalties as Real Madrid, without superstar Kylian Mbapp, beat Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday to move to the top of La Liga.
Mbapp watched the game from the bench as a substitute after missing some team practices this week due to discomfort in his left knee. Madrid coach Rubaro 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.
Mbapp and Jude Bellingham were sidelined with a hamstring injury, but a solid team performance saw Madrid end the visitors’ 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions and see them move two points clear of Barcelona before the defending champions visit Girona on Monday.
Perhaps Tuesday’s team dinner at a fancy restaurant, paid for by Mbapp and Vincius, helped the players focus ahead of next week’s Champions League play-offs against Benfica.
Gonzalo Garza opened the scoring 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, referee Francisco Jos Herndez Maeso awarded another penalty when John Aramburu grabbed Vincius’ ankle and brought him down. The Brazilian put his foot down to score from the spot in the 25th.
Madrid captain Fede Valverde thankfully scored his third goal in the 31st minute after being left with too much space on the edge of the penalty area. This was Valverde’s first goal of the season.
Gonzalo should have scored again before the break with what looked like a simple tap-in from Valverde, but Vincius made it 4-1 with his second spot-kick after the break. This came after Aramburu was penalized again for going 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 Jimnez playing as right-back in last weekend’s game against Valencia.
