Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad: white victory in a day of farewells at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid said goodbye to LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25 with a victory against Real Sociedad (1-0). In an emotional day at the Santiago Bernabéu for the official farewells of Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric, the 'merengues' closed the second cycle of the Italian coach with three insignificant points, since FC Barcelona sealed the league title a couple of matchdays ago.

A double by Kylian Mbappé allowed Madrid to seal their twenty-sixth victory of the championship against a Real Sociedad with a majority of substitutes. In addition, the Frenchman extended his lead as Pichichi over Robert Lewandowski, reaching 31 goals in the season (six more than the Pole), with which he assumes the lead for the European Golden Shoe.

Modric and Ancelotti, protagonists of an emotional day at the Bernabéu

The 'merengue' board announced this week what everyone knew for almost a month: the farewell of 'Carletto' to the white bench after four seasons in which he won a couple of Leagues and the same number of Champions Leagues. The fans cheered the one who, from next Monday, will be the new coach of Brazil, dedicating a huge banner of gratitude.

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The same happened with Luka Modric. Although many thought that the Croatian would renew for another season, the club announced his departure after the Club World Cup and the fans did not stop cheering him throughout the day. It could also be the last match of Lucas Vázquez with the white shirt, although the board has not yet made his departure as a free agent official.

Another who said goodbye on Saturday was the referee Mario Melero López, after 11 seasons refereeing in Primera. The man from Malaga asked to referee the duel in Chamartín and had a quiet day, but not without controversy. 

Mbappé put Madrid ahead with a controversial penalty

Kylian Mbappé, in the action of the penalty against Real Sociedad

The match, as expected, was open from the beginning, with nothing more than honor at stake. 'Kiki' had the first clear chance for the locals in the 6th minute, after a good one-two with Brahim Díaz where goalkeeper Marrero avoided the '9's goal with a great save.

Real Sociedad responded with a good shot from Sergi Gómez that demanded Lunin, another who could have played his last match in Chamartín. The Ukrainian understands that, with Courtois physically fit, he will never have opportunities to play regularly.

The match became a 'merengue' monologue after the first quarter of an hour, with the whole team turning the arrivals towards the left side, where Mbappé was looking again and again to open the scoring.

In the 38th minute, Melero López sanctioned a controversial handball penalty by Pablo Marín, after a shot by Arda Güler hit his left hand. The 'txuri urdin' player had his arm tucked in, without increasing volume, but Figueroa Vázquez, from the VAR, considered that the hand was punishable.

After the review on the monitor, the main one pointed out the penalty before the incredulity of the Donostiarras. The Bernabéu crowd clamored for Modric to take it, but Kylian did not heed claims and took charge of the shot. The Frenchman kicked across and Marrero contained the shot, but the rebound fell to the '9' and he defined at will to the center of the goal.

The second half was a formality for Madrid

At halftime, Imanol Alguacil, who was also saying goodbye to Real Sociedad on Saturday, tweaked his XI with the entry of Olasagasti for Pablo Marín. Afterwards, other usual starters would enter, such as Zubimendi, Oyarzabal and Barrenetxea. 

However, the pace of the match dropped noticeably. Ancelotti had to put Vinicius in place of Brahim in the 55th minute, due to a muscle strain of the Moroccan. Vallejo and Gonzalo García would also enter, the latter for Lucas Vázquez so that the fans could cheer the winger converted into full-back.

Despite the entry of Vini, the locals created little danger in the complement. Real Sociedad, for its part, provoked a penalty in the 74th minute for a clear handball penalty by Fede Valverde, but the action was invalidated by a previous offside.

Finally, in the 84th minute, came the goal of the sentence, again by Mbappé. Vinicius drove on the left, filtering a precise pass for the '9', entering the area, to take a placed left-footed shot to the base of the step, impossible for Marrero.

Deserved farewell corridor for Luka Modric

Afterwards, in the 87th minute, Ancelotti put the youth player Chema Andrés for Luka Modric. In a nice gesture, all the players of Madrid and Real made a corridor for the departure of the Croatian, with the Bernabéu surrendered to the '10'. Luka left in tears, accompanied by his family and Toni Kroos, who also joined the tribute on the white bench.

Melero López only added one minute, giving rise to the subsequent tribute to Carlo Ancelotti. Madrid closes a very successful cycle with a disastrous season, but the fans thank the one who leaves as the most winning coach in the history of the club, with 15 official titles.

Match sheet: Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad

• Real Madrid, 2: Lunin; Lucas Vázquez (Gonzalo García, min. 76), Tchouaméni (Vallejo, min. 55), Asencio, Fran García; Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric (Chema Andrés, min. 87), Valverde; Arda Güler, Brahim Díaz (Vinicius, min. 55) and Mbappé.
• Real Sociedad, 0: Unai Marrero; Aihen Muñoz, Jon Pacheco, Jon Martín, Jon Aramburu; Sergio Gómez (Barrenetxea, min. 71), Luka Sucic, Turrientes (Zubimendi, min 71), Take Kubo; Pablo Marín (Olasagasti, min. 46), Mariezkurrena (Oyarzabal, min. 71).
• Goals: 1-0, Kylian Mbappé (min. 38); 2-0, Kylian Mbappé (min. 84).
• Referee: Mario Melero López. He whistled a penalty favorable to Real Madrid in the first half for a handball by Pablo Marín warned by the VAR.
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
• Incidents: match corresponding to the 38th matchday of LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25.