Player Ratings: Real Madrid 4 – 1 Real Sociedad

Real Madrid turned in a statement performance at the Bernabéu, dispatching Real Sociedad 4-1 and leaving little doubt about which side held the upper hand from first whistle to last. The scoreline was built on a blend of relentless attacking thrust and midfield control, with several individuals delivering show-stopping displays.

Vinícius Jr. was the undisputed star of the night, tormenting right-back Jon Aramburu and winning two first-half penalties before converting both with ice-cold precision. His constant dribbling threat stretched the visitor’s back line and created the space that ultimately broke the game open. Operating on the opposite flank, Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased exactly why his acquisition was so coveted, dictating tempo with a passing range that repeatedly bisected Real Sociedad’s midfield and back four. His clipped assist for the opening goal set the tone, and his composure in possession allowed Madrid to sustain pressure for long spells.

In the engine room, Fede Valverde delivered a captain’s performance without the armband, scoring a thunderous long-range strike and shuttling seamlessly between midfield and right-back duties. His understanding with Alexander-Arnold proved pivotal, the pair rotating positions at will to keep opponents guessing. Aurélien Tchouaméni provided the platform, anchoring transitions with well-timed tackles and crisp distribution, while Eduardo Camavinga’s bursts down the left channel complemented Vinícius perfectly, even if a couple of mistimed challenges reminded onlookers of his combative edge.

Gonzalo García’s work-rate set the early tempo, and the forward capped his display with a smartly taken goal, though he will reflect on two further gilt-edged chances that might have inflated the margin further. Arda Güler, by contrast, found it difficult to leave a mark in advanced areas, fading as the match wore on and struggling to connect the final pass. Álvaro Carreras offered width and thrust from left-back, combining strong ball carrying with an assist that underlined his growing confidence, and Antonio Rüdiger’s quiet authority at the heart of defence ensured that Thibaut Courtois was rarely extended beyond a regulation pair of saves.

Dean Huijsen endured a bumpier evening, the teenager committing the foul from which Mikel Oyarzabal pulled a goal back from the spot, yet his second-half shift to right centre-back brought a measure of stability. The closing stages saw Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Brahim Díaz and Dani Ceballos introduced; while Carvajal produced a few timely interventions, the overall rhythm dipped once Alexander-Arnold departed, and Alaba’s rusty positioning nearly gifted Sociedad a second goal.

In the end, the night belonged to Madrid’s headline performers. Vinícius’ brace, Valverde’s screamer, and a collective exhibition of controlled aggression ensured the home side leapfrogged their Basque visitors in the standings and sent a clear message to the rest of the league: when the stars align, this Madrid side remains a devastating proposition.

Player Ratings: Courtois 7, Alexander-Arnold 8.5, Rüdiger 7, Huijsen 6, Carreras 7.5, Valverde 9, Tchouaméni 8, Camavinga 7.5, Güler 6.5, García 7, Vinícius Jr. 9; Subs: Carvajal 6.5, Alaba 6, Brahim 6, Ceballos 6.5.