SAN SEBASTIÁN, Spain (BN24) — Kylian Mbappe delivered another standout performance as 10-man Real Madrid overcame Real Sociedad 2-1 on Saturday in La Liga, with the French star scoring one and assisting another before Dean Huijsen’s red card forced the league leaders to dig deep.
Mbappe struck early and set up Arda Guler for Madrid’s second, helping Los Blancos maintain their perfect start to the season. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a second-half penalty for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough to deny Madrid all three points at Reale Arena.
Xabi Alonso’s side now top the standings with 12 points from four matches. Athletic Bilbao, trailing in second, face Alaves later in the weekend, while defending champions Barcelona host Valencia on Sunday.
Real Madrid implemented significant changes for the match, beginning with Dani Carvajal starting at right back instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Additionally, Dani Ceballos was given a rare opportunity to start in midfield, taking the place of the rested Fede Valverde. Madrid quickly established its dominance, although Güler had an early goal disallowed for offside. owed for offside.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 12th minute, latching onto a wayward back-pass and surging past two defenders before clinically finishing past Álex Remiro for his fourth goal of the league campaign.
Madrid’s momentum took a hit just before the half-hour mark when Dean Huijsen, the young Spanish center-back signed from Bournemouth, was shown a straight red for hauling down Oyarzabal on a breakaway. The sending off forced Madrid to play over an hour with 10 men.
Despite the setback, the visitors doubled their lead before halftime. Mbappe again proved decisive, dancing in from the left wing and laying off a well-timed pass to Guler, who slotted home with a composed finish.
Real Sociedad responded after the interval and were rewarded with a penalty when Carvajal handled inside the area. Oyarzabal calmly sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way to halve the deficit.
The home side pushed for an equalizer, but Courtois stood firm, twice denying Oyarzabal with crucial saves. Ancelotti, aiming to protect the lead, substituted an ineffective Vinicius Junior for Fran Garcia midway through the second half, tightening Madrid’s shape as they weathered late pressure.
Real Madrid held firm through six minutes of stoppage time to preserve their fourth straight win of the campaign, underlining their early title credentials and showcasing their depth and resilience under adversity.
