Real Sociedad Vs Real Madrid Player Ratings: Kylian Mbappé 9/10 Rated as Los Blancos Hold On For A Tense 2-1 Victory

What a rollercoaster of a match at Anoeta Stadium. From our perspective, this was a classic game of two halves, brutally bisected by a moment of madness. Real Madrid came out of the gates looking absolutely dominant, playing with a swagger that suggested an easy afternoon was on the cards. They sliced through Real Sociedad's lines, and it was no surprise when they went ahead.

Goals from the phenomenal Kylian Mbappé and a sharp Arda Güler had Los Blancos cruising at 2-0. It felt like the match was over before it had truly begun. However, football has a funny way of surprising you. The entire dynamic shifted dramatically when Dean Huijsen received a straight red card in the 32nd minute, a decision that threw Real Madrid into disarray.

Suddenly, Real Sociedad had a lifeline. They came out for the second half with renewed belief, and a penalty converted by their talisman, Mikel Oyarzabal, set up an incredibly tense finale. But Real Madrid, down to ten men, showed incredible grit and defensive resolve to see out the 2-1 win. It was a victory forged in adversity and a massive three points on the road in La Liga. Here are the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid player ratings.

Real Sociedad Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Here are the Real Sociedad player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Álex Remiro - 7.0: He conceded two goals but couldn't do much about either. Remiro made four crucial saves inside the box, a couple of which were top-drawer stops to deny Éder Militão and keep his team in the game. His distribution was solid enough with 88% pass accuracy. Without him, Madrid could have run away with it in the first half.

Defenders

Igor Zubeldia - 5.5: A really tough evening for Zubeldia. He picked up an early yellow card, which put him on a tightrope for the rest of the game. We noticed he was dribbled past twice and lost most of his duels, which is unlike him. He looked flustered by Madrid's early pace and never really recovered his composure.

Aritz Elustondo - 5.0: Lasted only 57 minutes and it's easy to see why. He was tormented by the movement of Madrid's attackers and was dribbled past three times. From our perspective, he committed too many fouls and struggled to impose himself physically on the game. A day he'll want to forget quickly.

Duje Caleta-Car - 6.5: A mixed bag for the central defender. He showed flashes of his quality, particularly with his passing out from the back, completing 91% of his passes. He even had a big chance to score, which he missed. However, he also lost a few key aerial duels and was part of a defence that looked vulnerable throughout.

Sergio Gómez - 7.0: One of the brighter sparks for the home side. He was a constant outlet on the left, delivering a staggering 14 crosses into the box. Defensively, he was solid, winning five of his seven duels and making some important tackles and interceptions. His energy was infectious, even if the final product wasn't always there.

Midfielders

Jon Gorrotxategi - 6.0: A decent but unspectacular performance in the middle of the park. He kept the ball moving with 89% pass accuracy but struggled to make a real impact in the final third. We noticed he was often bypassed by Madrid's quick transitions before the red card. He did his job but didn't grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Ander Barrenetxea - 7.5: What stood out to us was his sheer persistence. He was a livewire, creating four chances and constantly trying to make things happen. Yes, his final ball could have been better, and he picked up a yellow, but his desire to drive his team forward was admirable. He was one of the few who looked capable of unlocking the ten-man Madrid defence.

Gonçalo Guedes - 6.0: A frustrating outing for Guedes. He showed some nice touches and created one chance, but he was also guilty of losing possession too easily. Substituted after 66 minutes, it felt like a fair reflection of his contribution. We expected more from a player of his calibre in such a big game.

Mikel Goti - 5.0: A very difficult full debut. His error leading to a goal was a crushing blow and a moment of inexperience that proved costly. He struggled to get into the rhythm of the game, losing possession 15 times and looking overwhelmed at times. He was hooked after 57 minutes.

Pablo Marín - 6.0: So unlucky to hit the woodwork in the second half. That moment aside, he struggled to impose himself, losing possession frequently and being dispossessed twice. He created one key pass but ultimately failed to provide the creative spark his team desperately needed before being substituted.

Forwards

Mikel Oyarzabal - 7.5: The captain led from the front, especially in the second half. He coolly dispatched his penalty to give his side hope and created four chances for his teammates. He missed a couple of big chances which he'll be kicking himself for, but his leadership and work rate were undeniable. A real captain's performance when his team needed it.

Substitutes

Jon Aramburu - 6.5: Came on and provided more defensive stability than Elustondo. He was solid and did what was asked of him.

Carlos Soler - 6.5: Added some much-needed quality in midfield. His set-piece delivery caused problems and he helped his team control possession more effectively.

Arsen Zakharyan - 6.0: Looked lively but couldn't find the killer pass or shot to make a difference.

Takefusa Kubo - 6.5: His direct running caused a few problems for the tired Madrid legs, but he couldn't produce a moment of magic.

Jon Karrikaburu - 6.0: Had a couple of shots blocked but didn't have enough time to truly impact the game.

Manager

S. Francisco Ramos - 6.5: His team looked lost in the opening 30 minutes, which is on him. However, his substitutions and tactical tweaks after the red card were positive and gave his side a real chance to get back into the game. He was let down by individual errors on the day.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Real Sociedad

Here are the Real Madrid player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 7.0: Couldn't do anything about the penalty. He made three important saves from inside the box and commanded his area well, especially under the barrage of second-half crosses. His long distribution was a bit wayward, but his shot-stopping was as reliable as ever. A calming presence when his team was under the cosh.

Defenders

Daniel Carvajal - 5.5: A real Jekyll and Hyde performance from the captain. He was part of a dominant first half but then conceded a clumsy penalty for handball that let Sociedad back into the match. That moment really soured his performance. He was solid otherwise, but that mistake was a major one and nearly cost his team.

Éder Militão - 8.5: A colossus. From our perspective, he was the main reason Madrid held on for the win. With his team down to ten men, he was immense, winning 7 of his 9 duels and making countless clearances and blocks. He was a beast in the air and a true leader at the back. An absolutely monstrous defensive display.

Álvaro Carreras - 6.5: A steady performance from the young defender. He was caught out a couple of times but generally held his own. He won the majority of his duels and made some key interceptions. It was a tough test for him, especially in the second half, and he came through it without any major errors.

Dean Huijsen - 3.0: A disastrous performance. His straight red card in the 32nd minute for a reckless foul was a moment of pure madness. It showed a complete lack of experience and put his team in a massive hole. Before that, he looked okay, but the sending-off is all anyone will remember. A very harsh lesson learned.

Midfielders

Vinicius Junior - 6.5: Not his most electrifying game, but he was still a threat. He drew several fouls and was always looking to run at his man. His final product was a little off, and he was caught offside a couple of times. He was sacrificed after 68 minutes as part of the tactical reshuffle following the red card.

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 7.5: An absolute machine in the defensive midfield role. He won six of his seven duels and was a crucial screen in front of the back four, particularly in the second half. His six clearances and constant ball recovery were vital. A disciplined and powerful performance when his team needed it most.

Arda Güler - 8.5: This kid is special. He was simply brilliant, scoring a well-taken goal and creating four chances for his teammates, including a big chance. His delivery from set-pieces was a constant danger. He played with a confidence that defied his years and was a key architect of Madrid's attacking prowess before being subbed off late on.

Dani Ceballos - 7.0: A very tidy and controlled performance before he was substituted. He had a pass accuracy of 96% and helped dictate the tempo in the first half. He worked hard defensively too, making several key blocks and interceptions. His removal was purely tactical to shore up the defence.

Brahim Díaz - 6.0: A quiet 46 minutes for Brahim. He linked up play nicely on occasion, but he struggled to make a decisive impact on the game. He was sacrificed at halftime for a more defensive-minded player, a tactical switch that made sense given the red card.

Forwards

Kylian Mbappé - 9.0: Man of the Match. What more can you say? He was simply electric. He opened the scoring with a stunning strike, provided a clever assist for Güler's goal, and was a constant menace. He completed seven successful dribbles and won 11 duels. Even after his team went down to ten men, he was an essential outlet. A world-class performance.

Substitutes

Federico Valverde - 7.0: Came on at halftime and provided exactly the energy and defensive work rate Madrid needed. His running helped relieve pressure.

Fran García - 6.5: Slotted in well and was solid defensively during a period of intense pressure.

Raúl Asencio - N/A: Didn't have enough time or involvement to warrant a rating.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - N/A: A late cameo to help see out the game.

David Alaba - N/A: Brought on in the final minutes to waste time and add defensive solidity.

Manager

X. Alonso Olano - 8.0: His initial game plan was perfect, as his team flew into a 2-0 lead. He was dealt a terrible hand with the red card, but his pragmatic changes at halftime and throughout the second half were spot on. He organized his ten men brilliantly to protect the lead, showing impressive tactical flexibility and resolve.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Kylian Mbappé