Three questions and three answers from Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad

Madrid—Real Madrid stretched their La Liga winning streak to eight matches with a commanding 4-1 defeat of Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu on Saturday night, a result that keeps the capital club firmly in the title race and raises several talking points beyond the final scoreline.

Vinícius Júnior converted two penalties and set the tone for the evening, while Fede Valverde and Gonzalo García added polished finishes to underline the squad’s depth. Mikel Oyarzabal’s spot-kick briefly gave the visitors hope, yet the hosts’ firepower proved too much for La Real, who arrived in good form after a midweek Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg win over Athletic Club.

Here are three key questions—and the answers that emerged from the 90 minutes in Madrid.

1. How many penalties have Real Madrid had this season? Saturday’s brace from the spot took Madrid’s league tally to 13, four more than any other side in Europe’s top-five divisions; Bayern Munich are next on nine. Vinícius, who won both fouls himself, now has two successful conversions in 2025-26 after missing against Valencia in November. With usual penalty-taker Kylian Mbappé rested, the Brazilian demonstrated composure that some critics have claimed he lacks.

2. When will Real Madrid record consecutive clean sheets again? The wait continues. A clumsy challenge by Dean Huijsen allowed Oyarzabal to beat Thibaut Courtois, meaning Madrid have gone 20 competitive fixtures without back-to-back shut-outs since October’s 1-0 wins over Juventus and Getafe. The lone goal was one of only three Real Sociedad efforts on target, yet it was enough to deny the hosts a clean sheet and leave them on 19 goals conceded in 24 league matches—one more than city rivals Atlético Madrid, who top the defensive charts.

3. Is Gonzalo García compatible with Kylian Mbappé? García’s rising stock is impossible to ignore. His goal against La Real was his 10th in all competitions, all coming in the eight matches Mbappé has not started. In five of those contests, including Saturday, the Frenchman did not play a single minute. García’s willingness to deputise has served Madrid well, yet the sample size suggests he flourishes as the central striker only in Mbappé’s absence. Whether the 21-year-old can adapt his game to share the stage with the global star remains an open question—one that could define his long-term role at the club.

Mbappé watched from the bench as a precaution ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Benfica, and with Valverde excelling in a hybrid right-back role and Trent Alexander-Arnold logging his longest appearance since September, Álvaro Arbeloa has enviable options as the fixtures pile up. Eight straight league wins breeds confidence; answering these lingering questions could determine whether that momentum carries Madrid to silverware.