In an exciting La Liga fixture, Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena on September 14, 2024. The match saw Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on the scoresheet, extending Madrid’s unbeaten run this season. Despite Sociedad’s home advantage, Real Madrid’s clinical finishing and solid defense proved too much for the Basque club. Below, we provide a detailed match recap, analysis, and standout moments from this clash.
Table of Contents
First Half Recap: A Tactical Battle
The first half was a tactical battle between two sides with contrasting forms. Real Sociedad, who had lost their last three home matches, focused on containing Madrid’s attacking threats. Despite their cautious approach, Sociedad struggled offensively without key players like Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez, leaving the attack led by Takefusa Kubo and Sheraldo Becker lacking.
Madrid, on the other hand, looked to impose their game early. Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior tried to stretch Sociedad’s defense, while Luka Modric orchestrated the midfield. However, the home side’s defense stood firm in the first 45 minutes, with Alex Remiro making critical saves.
First Half Highlights:
- Vinícius Júnior threatened early with a shot just wide of the post in the 18th minute.
- Real Sociedad managed only one shot on target, struggling to penetrate Madrid’s solid defense.
Second Half Recap: Mbappé and Vinícius Steal the Show
The second half saw a more aggressive Real Madrid side, with Carlo Ancelotti pushing his team to break the deadlock. Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Kylian Mbappé latched onto a perfectly threaded pass from Modric to fire home a clinical finish, giving Madrid the lead.
Real Sociedad attempted to regroup, but with their attack weakened by injuries and Madrid’s defense—led by Antonio Rudiger—holding firm, chances were limited. In the 79th minute, Madrid put the game beyond Sociedad’s reach when Vinícius Júnior scored after a clever combination with Rodrygo, sealing the 2-0 victory.
Second Half Highlights:
- Kylian Mbappé scored in the 55th minute, his fourth goal of the season, showcasing his lethal finishing ability.
- Vinícius Júnior doubled the lead in the 79th minute, capitalizing on a quick counterattack with Rodrygo.
- Real Sociedad’s defense struggled to contain Madrid’s dynamic forwards in the second half.
Key Stats and Analysis
- Possession: Real Madrid dominated possession, controlling around 60% of the ball, while Sociedad struggled to maintain a foothold in the game.
- Shots on Target: Madrid outshot Sociedad 8 to 3, underlining their attacking dominance.
- Passing Accuracy: Madrid’s 88% passing accuracy contrasted with Sociedad’s 74%, reflecting their greater midfield control.
- Corners: Madrid had 5 corners compared to Sociedad’s 2, showcasing their sustained pressure.
Madrid’s ability to press high and maintain control of the game, combined with precise counterattacks, made the difference. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, couldn’t break down Madrid’s defense and struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the match.
Player Performances
Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappé: Mbappé was the standout performer, with his goal proving to be the turning point. His pace and movement caused constant problems for Sociedad’s defense.
- Vinícius Júnior: Vinícius was equally impressive, not only with his goal but also in linking up play with Rodrygo and Modric.
- Antonio Rudiger: A rock at the back, Rudiger was crucial in shutting down Sociedad’s few attacking forays.
Real Sociedad
- Takefusa Kubo: Sociedad’s most dangerous player, Kubo tried to create opportunities but was isolated for much of the match.
- Alex Remiro: Despite conceding two goals, Remiro made some important saves in the first half to keep his team in the game.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad underlined their strength and resilience as title contenders. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior were the stars of the show, while Real Sociedad struggled without key players like Oyarzabal. Madrid’s continued unbeaten run in La Liga keeps them firmly in the race for the title.
FAQs
1. Who scored the goals for Real Madrid?
Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior scored the goals in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win.
2. How many shots did Real Sociedad have on target?
Real Sociedad managed only one shot on target during the match.
3. How did the injuries affect Real Sociedad?
Real Sociedad missed key players like Mikel Oyarzabal, Brais Méndez, and Hamari Traore, which limited their offensive capabilities.
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