La Liga: Real Madrid End Real Sociedad's Streak To Take Provisional Lead Over Barca

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 09:49 IST

Vinicius Junior won and converted two penalties while Gonzalo Garcia and Federico Valverde also found the back of the net to help the Capital City side to a 4-1 win.

Real Madrid decisively defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday, moving provisionally to the top of La Liga, as Vinicius Junior won and converted two penalties.

An impressive performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first start in two-and-a-half months also helped Los Blancos move two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Girona on Monday.

Madrid’s convincing display handed a first defeat to visiting American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in his 10th match at the helm of Real Sociedad.

Young striker Gonzalo Garcia and Fede Valverde were also on target for Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid, who face an important Champions League play-off match against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Tuesday in Lisbon.

“We did great work in attack and in defence… you could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game," Valverde told Real Madrid TV.

“We’ve had long weeks of preparation, and now we will fight for La Liga and the Champions League."

Fit to start his first game since early December after a thigh injury, Alexander-Arnold made an impact quickly.

The England defender’s cross was met with a delicate finish by Garcia, starting in place of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was experiencing some knee discomfort.

Real Sociedad equalised after 21 minutes when Yangel Herrera was clumsily felled by Dean Huijsen in Madrid’s box.

Mikel Oyarzabal powered the spot-kick down the middle, but La Real’s joy was short-lived.

Vinicius won a penalty at the other end when Jon Aramburu tripped him in the area, and the Brazilian sent Alex Remiro the wrong way.

Madrid were dominant, and Valverde netted a fine third in the 31st minute, moving into space on the edge of the box and curling into the top corner.

Matarrazzo sent on Goncalo Guedes at half-time, hoping his team could mount a comeback, but Aramburu conceded another penalty early in the second half.

Vinicius ran at him again, nutmegged Aramburu and hit the deck as the right-back slid in. The Brazilian went for the bottom left corner this time, switching directions, and Remiro could not reach his strike.

With Jude Bellingham injured and Mbappe on the bench, Vinicius seemed to have more freedom to roam and enjoyed being the key attacking figure.

Garcia came close to a second, but Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin cleared his effort off the line.

Real Sociedad striker Orri Oskarsson slotted past Thibaut Courtois in the final stages, but he was offside, and his goal was disallowed, ending a disappointing night for the Basque visitors.

Vinicius was denied a hat-trick by the linesman’s flag as he used his shoulder to convert Arda Guler’s free-kick but had strayed just offside.

“The first half was tough, we weren’t comfortable… and in general, we did badly," Oyarzabal sai after his team’s unbeaten run ended.

“We came here in a good dynamic and doing well; a bad game doesn’t have to spoil that."

Earlier, Villarreal fell to a 2-1 defeat at Getafe, impacting their hopes for a top-four finish.

The Yellow Submarine, currently sitting fourth, were far from their best, and Mauro Arambarri sent the hosts ahead from the penalty spot shortly before the break.

Martin Satriano extended Getafe’s lead early in the second half, with Georges Mikautadze pulling one back for Villarreal, but Marcelino Garcia Toral’s team could not find an equaliser.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

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