MADRID, FEB 15: Vinicius Junior won and converted two penalties as Real Madrid thumped Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday to move provisionally top of La Liga.
An impressive performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first start in two-and-a-half months also helped Los Blancos move two points clear of champions Barcelona, who visit Girona on Monday.
Madrid's convincing display inflicted a first defeat for visiting American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, in his 10th match at the helm of Real Sociedad.
Young striker Gonzalo Garcia and Fede Valverde were also on target for Alvaro Arbeloa's Madrid, who face an important Champions League play-off match against Jose Mourinho's Benfica on Tuesday in Lisbon.
"We did great work in attack and in defence... you could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game," Valverde told Real Madrid TV.
"We've had long weeks where we've been preparing a lot, and now we will fight for La Liga and the Champions League."
Fit to start his first game since early December after a thigh injury, it did not take Alexander-Arnold long to make an impact. The England defender's cross was met with a delicate finish by Garcia, starting in place of French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was feeling some knee discomfort. �"AFP
