Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid

Real Sociedad hosted Real Madrid at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in a thrilling La Liga clash. From the opening whistle, Madrid imposed their style, controlling possession and pressing high. Kylian Mbappé was the focal point of the attack, and after an early disallowed goal, he capitalized on a defensive lapse by Sociedad’s Goti in the 12th minute to give Los Blancos the lead. The home side tried to respond, but Madrid’s fluid passing and quick transitions kept Sociedad on the back foot.

As the first half progressed, Real Madrid extended their advantage. Mbappé’s clever movement and vision allowed him to set up Arda Güler for a precise finish in the 44th minute, doubling the score just before halftime. The visitors looked comfortable despite occasional Sociedad counterattacks. However, the rhythm of the match shifted dramatically in the 32nd minute when Dean Huijsen received a controversial red card, leaving Madrid to play over an hour with ten men, a test of both endurance and tactical discipline.

The second half saw Real Sociedad increase the intensity, determined to exploit the numerical advantage. Their persistence paid off when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 56th minute, awarded after Dani Carvajal handled the ball in the box. Sociedad dominated possession and launched multiple attacks, but Madrid’s defense, marshaled by Éder Militão and Aurélien Tchouaméni, remained organized and resilient, absorbing the pressure and minimizing clear chances.

Tactically, Xabi Alonso’s adjustments were key to Madrid’s ability to hold onto the lead. Tchouaméni dropped deeper to fortify the defense, while Valverde and the remaining midfielders maintained balance, allowing the team to withstand Sociedad’s onslaught. The partnership between Mbappé and Güler continued to create threat on the break, demonstrating how Madrid could remain dangerous even when reduced in numbers. The team’s discipline, communication, and strategic positioning underlined their adaptability and depth.

With this hard-fought 2-1 win, Real Madrid maintained a perfect start to the La Liga season, claiming four wins in four matches. The victory highlighted the squad’s resilience, tactical intelligence, and ability to respond under pressure. Individual performances from Mbappé, Güler, and Tchouaméni stood out, emphasizing their importance to the team. As Madrid looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures, the lessons learned from managing a challenging match with ten men could prove vital in sustaining their title ambitions.

Watch and Download Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid full match replay and highlights, At Saturday, September 13, 2025. The match played at Estadio Municipal de Anoeta, in LaLiga, Spain.

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