It has been 37 games since Real Madrid last suffered a loss in La Liga. Against Real Sociedad, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior scored goals.
In the 2024–25 La Liga season, Real Madrid headed to Reale Arena with the goal of beating Santiago Bernabéu by three points for the first time. They had fallen four points short of Barcelona already. Real Sociedad, who had lost their previous three home games, was a formidable opponent for the reigning Spanish champions.
Imanol Alguacil’s team appeared to be the more dangerous in the first half hour. Real Sociedad really put the pressure on the top clubs in Spain by hitting the post three times. However, the game was lost by the home team due to several poor challenges from Jon Aramburu and Sergio Gomez, and Real Madrid scored two penalties.
Real Madrid won 0–2, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Real Madrid Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Courtois stood tall when it mattered most, but he had plenty of help from the woodwork to keep his third clean sheet of the season.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – Carvajal was solid as ever on the right flank and did well to cover for his center-backs when Real Madrid was caught out on the counter-attack.
CB: Éder Militão – 7/10 – Despite a few mistouches, Militão came up huge time and time again to help keep Real Sociedad off the scoresheet, winning 100% of his tackles and aerial duels.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger – 7/10 – Rüdiger will be disappointed he did not score the game’s opening goal, but he did his job to lock down Takefusa Kubo with the help of Ferland Mendy.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – After a few disappointing outings, Mendy did just enough tonight to secure his spot on the left flank over Fran García.
DM: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Valverde once again showed off his exceptional work-rate for Los Blancos, working well in his deeper role to get back on defense while also pushing forward on the counter-attack.
DM: Luka Modrić – 6/10 – Modrić got the nod amid Real Madrid’s injury struggles and created the most chances for his side over 90 minutes.
RM: Brahim Díaz – N/A – Díaz had a few flashes on the ball, but came off the pitch in the 24th minute after suffering a hamstring injury.
AM: Arda Güler – 6/10 – Güler was the heart of Real Madrid’s counter-attack and did well to link up with the front three. The 19-year-old also won the penalty that lead to the team’s first goal.
LM: Vinícius Júnior – 7/10 – The Brazilian buried the game’s opening goal from the spot after a quiet first half. His dynamic run into the box then won Real Madrid its second penalty.
ST: Kylian Mbappé – 7/10 – Mbappé showed great individual skill on the ball and was the most threatening player in Real Madrid’s attack. His efforts were rewarded in the second half when he doubled Los Blancos’ lead from the penalty spot.
Substitutes
SUB: Rodrygo – 5/10 – The substitute struggled to have an impact on the right side of the pitch.
SUB: Lucas Vázquez – 5/10 – Vázquez fulfilled his duty to help protect Real Madrid’s lead.
SUB: Endrick – N/A – Endrick came on in the 90th minute for Kylian Mbappé.
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – Despite an injury crisis, Ancelotti’s XI got the job done tonight. Dropping Valverde and Modrić back might have stifled some of Real Madrid’s attack, but it helped fill the gap left in Aurélien Tchouaméni’s absence. The manager will still have to answer questions, though, about his side’s inability to score from open play.