Madrid takes the points from profligate Sociedad
Real Madrid came away from Real Sociedad with a 2-0 win in LaLiga, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe scoring from the spot after the hosts hit the frame of Thibaut Courtois's goal three times at Reale Arena.
The penalties came in the second half, the first as a result of a handball and the second a foul on Vinicius, compounding Sociedad's sense of injustice from a match it should have got something out of.
The win keeps Madrid unbeaten, yet also still somewhat unconvincing, with few chances of note outside the penalties that won it the game.
Carlo Ancelotti's side moved to within a point of LaLiga leader Barcelona, which visits fifth-place Girona on Monday (AEST).
Already without the likes of Jude Bellingham, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Madrid suffered another injury blow in the 24th minute when Brahim Diaz was forced off with a muscular issue.
After a goalless first half, the visitors broke through 13 minutes after the restart with Vinicius slotting home from 12 yards after Sergio Gomez handled Arda Guler's shot.
Vinicus was then felled for Madrid's second penalty, which was awarded after a VAR review, with Mbappe making no mistake in sealing all three points.
Extending its unbeaten LaLiga streak to 37 matches, Madrid has now won four successive away league games against Basque opposition for the first time since a run of four such victories between 2011 and 2013.
By contrast, Sociedad has now suffered four straight home defeats in the Spanish top flight for the first time since 2007.
Ancelotti admitted his side was not dominant enough to deserve the win.
But the Italian praised his players' resilience and was proud of how they were able to endure the home side's pressure.
"It was a complicated match. We didn't deserve to win, because Real Sociedad pushed us really hard," he said.
"We held on and suffered, showed character and a lot of commitment. I value that a lot because it's not easy to find commitment in a team with so much talent and quality, and today we did it.
"I leave very satisfied, and then we have to be self-critical in order to improve. It's a great opportunity for us to assess what we didn't do well but with three more points in the table."
Ancelotti acknowledged his side was struggling with fatigue and poor form, but said it was to be expected because of a busy calendar, coming off the back of the international break.
"We have to take into account that we are not at 100 per cent. It's normal, we don't have four midfielders who are injured. I value a lot the work of those who have played," he said.
"I see Mbappe fresher, more active. He's very dangerous and combines well with Vinicius and the other forwards. He is improving a lot. I liked his game a lot."
