Real Madrid surged to the top of La Liga, at least for now, after a convincing 4–1 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, with Vinícius Júnior winning and converting two penalties.
The hosts made an early statement as Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning from injury, delivered a superb cross that Gonzalo García turned in after just five minutes.
Sociedad responded in the 21st minute when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted from the spot following a clumsy foul by Dean Huijsen.
Madrid quickly regained control. Jon Aramburu brought down Vinícius in the box, and the Brazilian forward stepped up to restore the lead from 12 yards.
Minutes later, Federico Valverde fired a powerful long-range effort into the top corner after a simple pass from Álvaro Carreras to make it 3–1.
García missed a big opportunity before the break, but Madrid put the game beyond doubt early in the second half.
Aramburu again fouled Vinícius, and the winger calmly slotted home his second penalty of the night to extend the lead to three goals.
Sociedad pushed for a response, with Jon Martín and Carlos Soler both missing chances, while Vinícius was denied a hat-trick by an offside flag.
The result marked Madrid’s fifth consecutive LaLiga win under Álvaro Arbeloa and lifted them above Barcelona at the summit, at least until the Catalan side face Girona.
By the numbers:
Madrid have now won 13 penalties in LaLiga this season, at least four more than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.
Vinícius became only the second player on record to win and score two penalties in a single La Liga match, after Neymar did so for Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano in October 2015.
Meanwhile, Aramburu became the first player to concede two penalties in a La Liga match since Juanlu Sánchez did so for Sevilla against Getafe in December 2023.
