I’m back in the Bernabeu after a very long time. It was fitting that I went to a game on Valentine’s Day when a team that I love is playing. No it’s not Real Madrid but Real Sociedad. Both teams came into the game unbeaten in 2026. Real Madrid had some key players out. Kylian Mbappé was sidelined for the game and Jude Bellingham was completely ruled out due to injury. Real Sociedad made several changes due to their midweek fixture at the San Mames in the Copa Del Rey Semi Final.
The first half started out as an even encounter with both teams having good spells of possession. Real Madrid came out quickly with a goal within the first 10 minutes thanks to Gonzalo Garcia. Trent Alexander Arnold played an incredible cross where Gonzalo directed it into the far bottom corner with a first time finish. Shortly after, Real Sociedad was given a penalty thanks to Dean Huijsen taking down Herrera in the box. Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and blasted it down the middle to level affairs. Nonetheless shortly after, Vinicius Jr. won a penalty who cut inside the box and was taken down by Aramburu. Vinicius stepped up and sent Alex Remiro the wrong way and placed it into the opposite corner. Real Madrid would continue their dominance as they added to their lead through Valverde. He received the ball on the half turn on the edge of the box and blasted it into the top corner.The second half began with some optimism from my part. This optimism quickly disappeared when Vinicius Jr. won another penalty thanks to an Aramburu error. Vinicius converted again from the spot and Real Madrid did not look back. The second half was a slow as Los Blancos saw off the game.
The game finished 4-1 as Real Madrid climbed back to the summit of La Liga. My Player of The Match was Vinicius Jr. who was a constant threat on the wing and deserved his two goals from the penalty spot.
