Vinicius Junior scored two penalties as Real Madrid thumped Real Sociedad 4-1 to move provisionally top of LaLiga on Saturday.
An impressive performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first start in two-and-a-half months also helped Real Madrid 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.
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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 in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Earlier, Villarreal fell to a 2-1 defeat at Getafe in a blow to their hopes of a top four finish.
Real Betis, fifth, could move within four points of Villarreal if they beat Mallorca on Sunday.
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