Real Madrid defeats Real Sociedad 2-0

Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday night is causing a stir in Spain, particularly due to the controversial nature of one of the two penalties awarded to Carlo Ancelotti's side. While Los Blancos secured their third win of the season, the match has reignited the debate over the use of VAR and penalty decisions.

Two penalties, one controversial decision

Real Madrid was awarded two penalties during the match, both of which led to their goals. The first penalty, converted by Vinícius Júnior, raised little objection. Real Sociedad midfielder Sergio Gómez was penalized for handling the ball after it struck his outstretched arm, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

However, the second penalty has drawn widespread criticism. In this instance, Real Madrid's Vinícius was stepped on by Jon Aramburu, but the ball had already been cleared away at the time of contact. Despite the seemingly minor infringement, Vinícius appealed for a penalty, and after consultation with VAR, the referee awarded it. Kylian Mbappé converted the spot-kick, sealing the 2-0 win and ending any chance of a comeback for the home side. Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil expressed his frustration after the match, stating, "For me, there was only one penalty. If we start awarding penalties for incidents like this, we are ruining the game. Something needs to change if we want to continue enjoying football."

Real Sociedad shows resistance, but falls short

Despite the defeat, Alguacil praised his team for their effort. “I think we did a lot of things right, but top teams like Real Madrid always find a way to make it 2-0 without playing brilliantly. Last year, we played well but still lost 1-0,” said the Sociedad coach. His team, with just four points from five matches, continues to struggle in the early stages of the La Liga season.

Real Madrid's form and Mbappé's growing influence

For Real Madrid, the win brings them closer to league leaders FC Barcelona, following their third win in five games. Kylian Mbappé, who converted the second penalty, now has three goals in La Liga and is growing in confidence with each match. Reflecting on his current form, Mbappé said, “I feel better with every game. I understand what the team, the coach, and my teammates need, and I’m confident I can help as we head into the Champions League.”

Vinícius' behavior under scrutiny

Vinícius Júnior once again drew attention, not only for his on-field performance but also for his actions after scoring the opening goal. The Brazilian gestured to silence the home crowd, a move that sparked criticism. Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatović voiced his disappointment, saying, “He’s only hurting himself with this behavior, especially given everything that surrounds him. Why does he need to do this? We all love him at Madrid, but with this attitude, he lets everyone down. He needs to calm down.” Real Madrid's win brings them within reach of Barcelona at the top of the table, and with Mbappé in form, they are well-positioned for their upcoming matches. The team will shift their focus to the Champions League, where they will face VfB Stuttgart, with Mbappé confident of leading the team to victory. Despite the win, the controversy surrounding the penalties, particularly the second one, continues to dominate discussions in Spain, raising questions about the impact of VAR on the flow of the game and the fairness of decisions.