Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the new La Liga season with a gritty 2–1 away win over Real Sociedad, despite playing the entire second half with ten men.

Xabi Alonso’s side made a strong start, scoring twice in the first 45 minutes. As expected, it was Kylian Mbappé who broke the deadlock, continuing his goal-scoring form for the Los Blancos. The second goal came from Turkish starlet Arda Güler, who found the net shortly after Rafael Marín Heuysen was shown a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Down to 10 men, Madrid faced an uphill battle in the second half, and Mikel Oyarzabal gave Sociedad hope by converting a penalty early after the break to make it 2–1.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid held firm defensively and saw out the match to claim their fourth consecutive league victory, staying top of the table.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real Sociedad - Real 1:2 (0:2)
Goals: Mbappé, 12 (0:1); Güler A., 44 (0:2); Oyarzabal, 56 (penalty) (1:2)

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Elustondo (Aramburu, 57); Caleta-Car; Gorrotxategi (Karrikaburu, 78); Zubeldia I.; Oyarzabal; Sergio Gomez; Marin P. (Kubo T., 66); Guedes G. (Zakharyan, 66); Goti (Soler, 57); Barrenetxea
Substitution: Aramburu (from 57); Soler (from 57); Kubo T. (from 66); Zakharyan (from 66); Karrikaburu (from 78)
Bench: Marrero; Torres A. F.; Muñoz A.; Odriozola; Martín Jon; Turrientes
Yellow Cards: Zubeldia I. 6; Barrenetxea 45

Real: Courtois; Carvajal (Alexander-Arnold, 82); Militão; Fernandez Ál.; Huijsen (till 32); Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Alaba, 88); Dani Ceballos (Asencio R., 68); Diaz Br. (Valverde F., 46); Vinícius Júnior (García Fr., 68); Mbappé
Substitution: Valverde F. (from 46); Asencio R. (from 68); García Fr. (from 68); Alexander-Arnold (from 82); Alaba (from 88)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; García G.; Mastantuono; Rodrygo
Yellow Cards: Mbappé 63
Red cards: Huijsen 32'