Real Madrid Overcomes Controversial Red Card to Secure Victory Against Real Sociedad

Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the 2025-26 La Liga season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena. The match was marked by a controversial red card shown to Madrid defender Dean Huijsen in the 32nd minute, which left the visitors playing with ten men for nearly an hour.

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The match began with Real Madrid taking an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, who capitalized on a defensive error from Real Sociedad's Mikel Goti in the 12th minute. Despite an initial goal from Arda Güler being disallowed for offside, Mbappé's clinical finish put Madrid ahead. However, the game shifted dramatically when Huijsen was sent off for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, deemed a last-man challenge by referee Jesús Gil Manzano. This decision sparked protests from Madrid's players and manager Xabi Alonso, who argued that the foul did not warrant a red card.

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Despite being a man down, Real Madrid doubled their lead just before halftime, with Mbappé assisting Güler for a close-range goal. In the second half, Real Sociedad responded with a penalty from Oyarzabal after a handball by Dani Carvajal, narrowing the score to 2-1. The final minutes saw Sociedad press for an equalizer, but Madrid's defense, bolstered by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, held firm to secure the win.

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Xabi Alonso expressed his dissatisfaction with the red card decision, stating, "For me, it was a yellow card... Dean Huijsen was sent off before half-time... I thought it was a clear yellow card watching from the sideline." He praised his team's resilience, noting their collective effort in overcoming the numerical disadvantage. Mbappé also commented on the impact of the red card, saying, "The red card changed the game a bit... We suffered as a team, but we go home with the three points."

ESPN

The red card decision has drawn criticism from Madrid's camp, with Alonso and players arguing that the foul did not constitute a clear goalscoring opportunity. This incident has reignited discussions about the quality of officiating in La Liga, with Madrid reportedly preparing a dossier of refereeing decisions to present to FIFA.

ESPN

Following this victory, Real Madrid sits at the top of the La Liga table with 12 points from four matches. They will face Espanyol in their next league match, while Real Sociedad, currently in 17th place with just two points, will look to improve their form as they seek their first win of the season.

Sports Illustrated

Real Madrid's ability to secure a victory despite the challenges posed by a red card demonstrates their depth and resilience under pressure. With Kylian Mbappé in fine form, contributing significantly to both goals, the team appears well-positioned as they continue their campaign in La Liga.

Sports Illustrated