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Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe both scored from the penalty spot to give Real Madrid a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday.

The Spanish champions are just one point off leaders Barcelona, ​​who face last season’s surprise Girona on Sunday.

Real Sociedad hit the woodwork three times before Madrid secured three points in the second half in a thrilling match at the Reale Arena.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had to do without injured midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni and benched Rodrygo Goes in place of Brahim Diaz.

After Mbappé scored twice in his previous match, his first goals in La Liga, all eyes were on the French forward.

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker forced Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro into a smart save and saw an advancing attack cut short by a defensive manoeuvre.

Real Sociedad hit the woodwork for the first of three times when newcomer Luka Sucic fired a long-range shot over the bar.

Ancelotti brought on Rodrygo after Diaz was injured and the champions came close through Antonio Rudiger’s header, converted by Remiro, and Mbappe’s shot wide of the target.

At the other end, Real Sociedad attacker Sheraldo Becker hit the crossbar while playing in.

Sucic hit the post low early in the second half, with the Basques having little luck in front of goal, and Madrid took advantage.

Vinicius slotted home from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Sergio Gomez had saved a shot from Arda Guler, with Mbappé quickly following suit.

The French superstar sent Remiro the wrong way from the penalty spot after Jon Aramburu stepped on Vinicius’ foot.

Madrid played out the remaining 15 minutes without stress ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League resumption against Stuttgart.

Earlier, Sevilla secured their first win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe and Villarreal provisionally moved up to third place with a 2-1 victory over Mallorca.