Kylian Mbappe scored one and assisted another, and Real Madrid overcame a silly Dean Huijsen red card to grind out a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos were on it from the start. They had a goal ruled out after three minutes, when Arda Guler's clever strike was chalked off due to an offside in the build up.
VAR didn't intervene 10 minutes later. Madrid's opener was classic Mbappe, a dart in behind and drilled finish to give his side a 1-0 lead. He almost made it two shortly after, but his curled effort clipped off the post. But Los Blancos made it interesting. La Real threatened here and there, and were handed a lifeline on half an hour when Huijsen was sent off for dragging down Mikel Oyarzabal as he ran through on goal. Still, Madrid added a crucial second just before half time. Mbappe made it, beating his man and cutting back to a grateful Arda Guler, who poked home.
Los Blanos insisted on making it difficult for themselves, though. Dani Carvajal handled the ball in the box, and Oyarzabal converted the ensuing penalty with ease. La Real never found a crucial second, though. Thibaut Courtois made a handful of impressive saves and timely interventions to maintain the lead. It wasn't pretty, but Madrid got the job done
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Reale Arena...






