Match Overview
The season‑closing showdown on matchday 38 saw Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in front of a packed Santiago Bernabéu. Kick‑off was scheduled for 14:15 local time, and the stadium quickly filled to its 73,186‑seat capacity. Both clubs entered the game with different narratives: Los Blancos were looking to finish strongly after a title‑winning run, while the Basques hoped to end their campaign on a high note against the Spanish giants.
Kylian Mbappé, the summer signing who has already become a household name at the club, delivered a brace that decided the match. The first goal came in the 38th minute when the French star saw his initial penalty saved, but he calmly slotted the rebound to put the home side ahead. The second, a clinical finish from the spot in the 83rd minute, sealed a 2‑0 win and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The fixture also carried sentimental weight. Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić started the match, absorbing the adulation of fans who recognized his decade‑long contribution to the club’s recent dominance. After the final whistle, the Croatian maestro received a standing ovation, marking what is widely expected to be his last appearance in a Real Madrid shirt. Alongside him, long‑time manager Carlo Ancelotti bowed out on a high, adding another chapter to his storied tenure with a spotless record in the final game.
Key Moments and Player Performances
Beyond Mbappé’s penalties, the match featured several tactical nuances that highlighted Ancelotti’s game‑management. The Italian coach deployed a 4‑3‑3 formation, trusting the midfield trio of Modrić, Dani Ceballos, and Federico Valverde to control tempo and protect the defence.
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin made a handful of crucial saves, keeping a clean sheet.
- Defence: Raúl Asencio, Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Fran García worked in tandem to nullify Sociedad’s attacks.
- Midfield: Modrić dictated play, Ceballos added forward thrust, while Valverde contributed energy on the break.
- Attack: Arda Güler opened space on the wing, Mbappé finished the chances, and a third forward rotated to maintain pressure.
Real Sociedad, led by a coaching staff eager to test themselves against the best, pressed intermittently and earned several corner opportunities. Takefusa Kubo and Luka Sučić attempted to carve open the defense, but the Bernabéu’s back line held firm. Referee Mario Melero López and his assistants managed the contest without controversy, allowing the drama to focus on the players.
Earlier in the season, Madrid had already beaten Sociedad 2‑0 in San Sebastián, with goals from Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé. That prior success set the tone for a season in which Los Blancos displayed consistency, depth, and an ability to deliver when it mattered most.
For supporters who missed the live action, the encounter was streamed across multiple platforms. In Spain, the match aired on Movistar + LaLiga 1, while international fans could watch through ESPN + in the U.S., Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, and the DAZN service in select markets. Commentary teams provided pre‑match analysis, live updates, and post‑match reactions, ensuring the emotional farewell of two club icons reached a global audience.
Overall, the 2‑0 victory not only capped a successful campaign for the Madrid side but also underscored Mbappé’s seamless integration into a squad already loaded with talent. As the club looks ahead to the next season, the foundations laid by Ancelotti’s farewell and Modrić’s legacy will shape the identity of a new era at the Bernabéu.