Real Madrid’s Perfect Start Continues with Gritty Win at Real Sociedad

• by Shimanta Das
• August 27, 2026

Real Madrid maintained their flawless start to the La Liga season with a hard-fought 1-2 victory away at Real Sociedad on Saturday, September 13, 2025. The match, held at the Estadio Anoeta, saw the visitors take an early lead but then face a stern test after a red card reduced them to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Xabi Alonso’s side showed resilience and tactical discipline to secure all three points and remain top of the table with four wins from four matches.

The game began in spectacular fashion for Real Madrid. Just twelve minutes in, Kylian Mbappé capitalized on a misplaced pass from the Real Sociedad defense. The French forward showcased his blistering pace, sprinting past the home side’s defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper. It was a classic Mbappé goal, highlighting his ability to punish even the slightest error at the highest level. The early goal set the tone for what promised to be a dominant display from the visitors.

However, the match took a dramatic turn just before the half-hour mark when Dean Huijsen, a Real Madrid defender, was shown a red card. The decision left the team with ten men for the remainder of the match. Despite the setback, Real Madrid showed their championship pedigree. They absorbed pressure from Real Sociedad, who pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The home side did manage to find the net, but Real Madrid responded with a second goal to regain the lead. The final score of 1-2 reflected a gritty and determined performance from the visitors, who defended resolutely to secure the win.

This victory extends Real Madrid’s perfect record in La Liga, sending a strong message to their title rivals. Coach Xabi Alonso will be pleased with the character shown by his team, especially after the red card. The result also builds on their recent success against Real Sociedad, having beaten them 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final earlier in the year. With key players like Mbappé in red-hot form and a squad that can grind out results even when down to ten men, Real Madrid look like the team to beat this season.