SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain: Kylian Mbappe scored and provided the assist for Arda Guler as Real Madrid weathered a second-half storm to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Saturday, maintaining their perfect LaLiga start despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
The visitors got off to a flying start with Mbappe opening the scoring from a quick counter in the 12th minute, but their task became significantly harder when defender Dean Huijsen was shown a straight red card after the half-hour mark for hauling down Mikel Oyarzabal as the last man.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid doubled their lead just before halftime when Guler scored from close range following a great run by Mbappe who brilliantly put the ball on a plate for the Turkish midfielder inside a crowded box.
Real Sociedad pulled one back with Mikel Oyarzabal from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after a handball by Dani Carvajal, but the visitors held on for a hard-fought victory that keeps them top of LaLiga with 12 points from four matches, three ahead of Athletic Bilbao who have a game in hand and host Alaves later on Saturday.
The defeat leaves winless Real Sociedad in 17th place with two points, just one spot above the relegation zone.
Mbappe shines as 10-Man Real Madrid hold on for 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad
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Mbappe shines as 10-Man Real Madrid hold on for 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad
- The visitors got off to a flying start with Mbappe opening the scoring from a quick counter in the 12th minute
- Despite their numerical disadvantage, Real Madrid doubled their lead just before halftime
Saudis need extra time to end Palestine’s dream Arab Cup run and claim semi-final spot
- The Green Falcons dominated the first half but the breakthrough came early in the second when Salem Al-Dawsari drew a foul in the box and Feras Al-Buraikan converted the penalty
- Palestine responded immediately to level the score, but with just 5 minutes of extra time remaining Mohammed Kanno sealed the victory for Saudi Arabia
DOHA: Saudi Arabia halted Palestine’s impressive Arab Cup run at the quarter-final stage with a hard-fought, 2-1, extra-time victory in a tense match on Thursday.
Herve Renard’s side dominated for long spells during the first half in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, as they probed patiently against a disciplined Palestinian defense that had kept two clean sheets in their three matches during the group stage.
The closest the Green Falcons came before the break was late in the opening period when a deep cross created space for Feras Al-Buraikan, only for Hamed Hamdan to make a crucial, last-ditch clearance.
Saudi Arabia eventually broke through early in the second half through their talisman, Salem Al-Dawsari, whose sharp first touch drew a foul from Mohammed Saleh inside the area. Al-Buraikan converted the resultant penalty with confidence to give the Saudis a deserved lead.
Palestine responded immediately, however; Oday Dabbagh controlled a cross from Hassan Altambakti with a superb first touch before finishing clinically to level the match and reignite hopes of a historic semi-final berth.
Saudi Arabia thought they had a chance to retake the lead late on when they were awarded another penalty, but the video assistant referee overturned the decision. And so, with the teams locked at 1-1, the match moved into extra time.
With five minutes remaining, and a penalty shoot-out looming, Mohammed Kanno delivered the decisive blow as he rose to head home a pinpoint cross from Al-Dawsari, sending the Green Falcons into the last four and bringing an admirable Palestinian campaign to an end.
