Kylian Mbappe scored one and assisted another, and Real Madrid overcame a silly Dean Huijsen red card to grind out a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos were on it from the start. They had a goal ruled out after three minutes, when Arda Guler’s clever strike was chalked off due to an offside in the build up.
VAR didn’t intervene 10 minutes later. Madrid’s opener was classic Mbappe, a dart in behind and drilled finish to give his side a 1-0 lead. He almost made it two shortly after, but his curled effort clipped off the post. But Los Blancos made it interesting. La Real threatened here and there, and were handed a lifeline on half an hour when Huijsen was sent off for dragging down Mikel Oyarzabal as he ran through on goal. Still, Madrid added a crucial second just before half time. Mbappe made it, beating his man and cutting back to a grateful Arda Guler, who poked home.
Los Blanos insisted on making it difficult for themselves, though. Dani Carvajal handled the ball in the box, and Oyarzabal converted the ensuing penalty with ease. La Real never found a crucial second, though. Thibaut Courtois made a handful of impressive saves and timely interventions to maintain the lead. It wasn’t pretty, but Madrid got the job done
BALLGM rates Real Madrid’s players from Reale Arena…
Kylian Mbappe scored one and assisted another, and Real Madrid overcame a silly Dean Huijsen red card to grind out a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos were on it from the start. They had a goal ruled out after three minutes, when Arda Guler’s clever strike was chalked off due to an offside in the build up.
VAR didn’t intervene 10 minutes later. Madrid’s opener was classic Mbappe, a dart in behind and drilled finish to give his side a 1-0 lead. He almost made it two shortly after, but his curled effort clipped off the post. But Los Blancos made it interesting. La Real threatened here and there, and were handed a lifeline on half an hour when Huijsen was sent off for dragging down Mikel Oyarzabal as he ran through on goal. Still, Madrid added a crucial second just before half time. Mbappe made it, beating his man and cutting back to a grateful Arda Guler, who poked home.
Los Blanos insisted on making it difficult for themselves, though. Dani Carvajal handled the ball in the box, and Oyarzabal converted the ensuing penalty with ease. La Real never found a crucial second, though. Thibaut Courtois made a handful of impressive saves and timely interventions to maintain the lead. It wasn’t pretty, but Madrid got the job done
BALLGM rates Real Madrid’s players from Reale Arena…
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Sent the wrong way on the penalty. Made a few crucial saves to keep Madrid ahead as time wore on.
Dani Carvajal (4/10):
Was having a very good 50 minutes until he gave away a silly penalty.
Eder Militao (8/10):
Equipped himself well at the back. Won some headers, made some important blocks, and was tidy on the ball. Glimpses of his old, excellent self.
Dean Huijsen (2/10):
Shown a straight red for a last-man foul after turning in a shaky 30 minutes.
Alvaro Carreras (6/10):
Solid at left back. Defensively sound, and did ok against the dangerous Kubo late on.
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Solid as a defensive midfielder before being dropped into a centre-back role when Huijsen was sent off. Did well there, too.
Dani Ceballos (6/10):
The game rather passed him by, all said. Puzzling that he was handed a start over Federico Valverde.
Arda Guler (8/10):
Effective throughout, grabbed a goal, and was up for the scrap too. Ran himself into the ground. Arguably Madrid’s best player so far this season.
Brahim Diaz (4/10):
Completed just nine passes, totaled 19 touches, and was removed at the break. Yet to convince under the new manager.
Kylian Mbappe (8/10):
Magnificent. Had one ruled out, scored another, assisted wonderfully. Quieter late on when Madrid had to bunker in, but a real game-changer.
Vinicius Jr (5/10):
Did a lot of running, but could have been a bit cleaner in the final third. Subbed after 68 minutes. It’s not quite happening for him this season.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Introduced at half time. Ran around a lot and gave Madrid more energy in midfield.
Raul Asencio (5/10):
A bit chaotic at the back, and was always one rash moment away from a red.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Brought on for a little solidity on the left side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
David Alaba (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Xabi Alonso (7/10):
Not the most glamorous win, but a pretty satisfying one. Madrid scored two great goals and then ground out three points. Top of the league.
