LaLiga: Real Madrid Go Top with 4-1 Win Over Sociedad

Vinicius Junior brace sends Real Madrid to top of LaLiga

Real Madrid return to top of LaLiga with 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, Vinicius Junior scores twice..

Vinicius Junior scores twice as Real Madrid thump Real Sociedad to go top...

Vinicius Junior scored twice from the penalty spot as Real Madrid thumped Real Sociedad 4-1, securing their eighth consecutive LaLiga win and temporarily reclaiming the top spot in the league. The victory marked the end of Sociedad's 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was back in the Madrid starting line-up for the first time since December, and he wasted no time in making an impact, as his curling cross in the fifth minute was poked into the back of the net by Gonzalo Garcia.

The game could've kicked off differently if Mikel Oyarzabal's long-range shot had found the back of the net, but he got his chance soon enough. A clumsy challenge by Dean Huijsen on Yangel Herrera led to a penalty, and Oyarzabal made no mistake, blasting it down the middle.

Real Madrid quickly turned the tables, though. A clip by Jon Aramburu sent Vinicius Junior tumbling in the box, and the hosts got a penalty of their own. Vinicius stepped up and restored Madrid's lead.

Real Madrid extended their lead just past the 30-minute mark, with Federico Valverde scoring a beauty. Alvaro Carreras' clever pass set him up, and Valverde's turn and shot from the edge of the area was unstoppable.

The hosts should've gone 4-0 up at halftime, but García somehow managed to waste a six-yard chance after Valverde's perfect pass.

If there was any doubt whether Aramburu’s challenge on Vini Jr in the first half warranted a penalty, there was no such debate in the first minute of the second half, when he brought down the Brazilian inside the box once again.

Remiro went the right way this time, but Vinicius scored from 12 yards once more to take his league tally to eight.

🏁 FT: @RealMadridEN 4-1 @RealSociedadEN
⚽ 5' @gonzalo7garcia_
⚽ 21' Oyarzabal
⚽ 25' @vinijr (p)
⚽ 31' @fedeevalverde
⚽ 48' @vinijr (p)@Emirates pic.twitter.com/WEOEfNXNp9

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 14, 2026

Even with the game surely now won and lost, Jon Martín attempted to mount a Txuri-Urdin comeback after an hour, but his firm header from a corner was well saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s side were toying with their opponents as the half wore on, and only a vital clearance by the backtracking Martín prevented Arda Guler from adding a fifth. 

The offside flag denied Orri Oskarsson a late consolation and Vini Jr a hat-trick goal, as Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side missed the chance to go on an eight-game unbeaten run in LaLiga for the first time since November 2021. As for Real Madrid, it’s now 18 wins from 18 when scoring first this season.