Real Madrid delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of LaLiga to eight points. Travelling to San Sebastián, Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced an early setback when star striker Karim Benzema was forced off in the 17th minute with a hamstring injury. However, Vinícius Jr once again rose to the occasion, scoring his 10th goal of the season and wreaking havoc on the home side’s defence with his pace, skill, and confidence.
The 21-year-old Brazilian has been one of Europe’s standout performers this season, sitting just two goals behind Benzema in the LaLiga scoring charts. Luka Jović, who replaced the injured Benzema, also had a stellar performance—providing the assist for Vinícius’ goal and later scoring himself with a well-placed diving header. This victory marked Real Madrid’s sixth consecutive league win and handed Real Sociedad their first home defeat of the season.
LaLiga Standings After the Match
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Real Madrid | 39 |
| 2nd | Sevilla | 31 |
| 3rd | Real Betis | 30 |
| 4th | Atlético Madrid | 29 |
| 5th | Real Sociedad | 29 |
Sevilla, who secured a 1-0 win over Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid, who suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat against Mallorca, both have a game in hand on their title rivals.
An Electrifying Encounter
The match was a high-intensity affair, with both teams displaying attacking intent akin to a heavyweight boxing bout. Real Sociedad, who had led LaLiga earlier in the season, defended resolutely but struggled to contain Madrid’s offensive threats. The hosts created several chances but found themselves repeatedly thwarted by Brazilian defender Éder Militão, whose defensive solidity was instrumental in keeping Sociedad at bay.
Real Madrid raised their performance level in the second half, netting both goals within a 12-minute window. Vinícius Jr broke the deadlock with a clinical finish following an assist from Jović. Shortly after, Jović doubled Madrid’s lead with a precise diving header, sealing the win for Los Blancos. Vinícius had another golden opportunity to score but was denied by Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro, in a one-on-one situation.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Masterclass
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s all-around performance, particularly their defensive organisation.
“We played a complete game—excellent ball control, solid defence, intelligent positional play,” Ancelotti told reporters. “What I appreciate most is how well this team defends. I never doubted our attacking strength, but the commitment shown in defence is exceptional.”
With their latest triumph, Real Madrid have reinforced their dominance in LaLiga, demonstrating both attacking brilliance and defensive resilience. As the season progresses, Los Blancos appear increasingly formidable, with Vinícius Jr cementing his status as a key player in their title charge.