Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid -The clash between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid is one of Spanish football’s most compelling rivalries, blending Basque grit with Madrid’s global stardom. In the 2024-25 season, their encounters in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey have delivered drama, goals, and unforgettable moments, fueling fan searches for “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid highlights” and “Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad 2025” on Google and YouTube. From a pulsating 4-4 Copa del Rey semi-final to their upcoming LaLiga showdown on May 25, 2025, this article dives into their latest battles, standings, key players, and the buzz surrounding their rivalry. Drawing on the latest information as of April 18, 2025, we explore the narrative, stats, and fan sentiment shaping this iconic matchup.
The Rivalry: A Historical Perspective
Real Sociedad, founded in 1909 in San Sebastián, is a Basque powerhouse with two LaLiga titles (1980-81, 1981-82), three Copa del Rey crowns, and a passionate fanbase led by the Peña Mujika ultras. Real Madrid, established in 1902, is a global juggernaut with 36 LaLiga titles, 20 Copa del Rey trophies, and 15 Champions League crowns. Their head-to-head record since 2004 favors Madrid, with 27 wins to Sociedad’s 7 and 7 draws, per AiScore, but Sociedad’s upsets, like their 4-3 Copa del Rey win in 2020, keep the rivalry fierce.
The 2024-25 season has seen two high-stakes clashes: a 2-1 Real Madrid win in LaLiga on September 17, 2023, and a thrilling 4-4 Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on April 1, 2025, with Madrid advancing 5-4 on aggregate. Fans are searching “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid history” and “Real Sociedad Real Madrid H2H” for insights into their storied past, with YouTube clips of Sociedad’s 1980s title wins trending.
LaLiga 2024-25: Current Standings and Context
As of April 18, 2025, Real Madrid sit second in LaLiga with 62 points from 31 matches (18 wins, 8 draws, 5 losses), three points behind leaders Barcelona. Their +37 goal difference (65 goals scored, 28 conceded) reflects their attacking prowess, led by Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham. Real Sociedad are seventh with 46 points (12 wins, 10 draws, 9 losses), boasting a +6 goal difference (43 goals scored, 37 conceded). Sociedad’s mid-table position masks their potential, with recent wins over Valencia and Cádiz boosting confidence.
LaLiga Table Snapshot (Top 8, as of April 18, 2025)
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Barcelona | 31 | 20 | 5 | 6 | 64 | 30 | +34 | 65 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 31 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 65 | 28 | +37 | 62 |
| 3 | Atlético Madrid | 31 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 52 | 31 | +21 | 58 |
| 4 | Athletic Bilbao | 31 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 49 | 32 | +17 | 54 |
| 5 | Villarreal | 31 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 41 | +9 | 50 |
| 6 | Real Betis | 31 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 40 | 35 | +5 | 49 |
| 7 | Real Sociedad | 31 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 37 | +6 | 46 |
| 8 | Girona | 31 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 39 | +3 | 45 |
Source: Sofascore, LaLiga
Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on September 17, 2023, featured Federico Valverde’s long-range strike and Joselu’s header, with Ander Barrenetxea replying for Sociedad. YouTube highlights on @LaLigaEnglish hit 200,000 views, with Valverde’s goal trending. Sociedad’s upcoming home clash with Madrid on May 25, 2025, at Reale Arena is a must-watch, with fans searching “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid prediction” for betting odds.
Copa del Rey 2024-25: An Epic Semi-Final
The standout encounter of the season was the Copa del Rey semi-final, with Real Madrid edging Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate. The first leg on February 26, 2025, saw Madrid win 1-0 in San Sebastián, thanks to Endrick’s 18th-minute chip, per Al Jazeera. The second leg on April 1, 2025, at the Bernabéu was a 4-4 thriller, with Antonio Rüdiger’s 115th-minute header sealing Madrid’s place in the final against Barcelona on April 26, 2025.
Second Leg Key Moments
16’: Ander Barrenetxea fired Sociedad ahead, leveling the tie, with a low shot past Andriy Lunin after Pablo Marín’s flick-on.
30’: Endrick’s sublime chip, assisted by Vinícius Júnior’s outside-of-the-foot pass, restored Madrid’s aggregate lead.
72’: David Alaba’s own goal off Marín’s cross stunned the Bernabéu, putting Sociedad 2-1 up.
80’: Mikel Oyarzabal’s deflected shot, again off Alaba, gave Sociedad a 3-1 lead on the night.
82’: Jude Bellingham’s side-footed volley, set up by Vinícius, sparked Madrid’s comeback.
86’: Aurélien Tchouaméni’s header from Rodrygo’s corner leveled the score at 3-3.
90+3’: Oyarzabal’s header from Sergio Gómez’s free-kick forced extra time.
115’: Rüdiger’s header from Arda Güler’s corner clinched a 4-4 draw, with Madrid advancing 5-4.
YouTube clips on @ESPNFC and @UEFA, amassing 300,000 and 150,000 views, capture the chaos, with Rüdiger’s winner and Endrick’s chip trending. Fans search “Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Copa del Rey highlights” and “Antonio Rüdiger goal” for replays, with BBC Sport calling it “one of the most incredible matches” seen.
Tactical Breakdown and Key Players
Real Madrid
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid deploy a 4-3-3, blending Bellingham’s dynamism, Vinícius’s flair, and Endrick’s finishing. Their 65 LaLiga goals reflect their attack, but 28 conceded highlight defensive issues, with Alaba’s own goals in the Copa del Rey exposing vulnerabilities.
Jude Bellingham: 8 LaLiga goals, 6 assists, and an 8.31 Sofascore rating in the Copa del Rey clash. His volley was pivotal.
Vinícius Júnior: 7 goals, 9 assists in LaLiga, with his assist for Endrick’s chip earning praise on X.
Endrick: The 18-year-old’s 5 Copa del Rey goals, including both legs against Sociedad, make him a breakout star. His bicycle kick attempt trended on @TNT Sports.
Antonio Rüdiger: His 115th-minute header and 8.43 Sofascore rating sealed Madrid’s final berth.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: His header and midfield grit (7.66 rating) were crucial.
Kylian Mbappé, rested for the Copa del Rey second leg, has 6 LaLiga goals but faces scrutiny after a red card against Alavés, per ESPN. Fans search “Mbappé Real Madrid form” for updates.
Real Sociedad
Imanol Alguacil’s 4-2-3-1 relies on Mikel Oyarzabal’s leadership, Takefusa Kubo’s creativity, and Martín Zubimendi’s midfield control. Their 43 LaLiga goals and low xG (0.98 in the Copa del Rey, per BBC Sport) show clinical finishing but missed chances.
Mikel Oyarzabal: 6 LaLiga goals, 2 in the Copa del Rey second leg. His headers were clutch, trending on @LaLigaEnglish.
Ander Barrenetxea: 5 goals, including the opener in the Copa del Rey, with his pace troubling Lucas Vázquez.
Takefusa Kubo: 4 goals, 3 assists, with his assist for Oyarzabal’s second goal earning 80,000 YouTube views on @ESPNFC.
Pablo Marín: The youngster’s flick-on and deflected goal sparked Sociedad’s fightback.
Martín Zubimendi: His 7.8 Sofascore rating and near-miss against Lunin highlight his class, with Arsenal transfer rumors swirling.
Injuries to Aihen Muñoz and Álvaro Odriozola have tested Sociedad’s depth, with fans searching “Real Sociedad injury news” for updates. Jon Olasagasti’s yellow card for fouling Vinícius sparked debate on X, with posts calling it “a terrible tackle.”
Recent Form and Performances
Real Madrid
Madrid’s form is strong but inconsistent, with a 1-0 loss to Alavés on April 14, 2025, marred by Mbappé’s red card. Their 3-1 Champions League win over Arsenal in the quarter-finals keeps their treble hopes alive, per Managing Madrid. Recent LaLiga wins include a 2-0 victory over Girona and a 3-1 thrashing of Villarreal, with Bellingham’s 8 goals and 64 chances created (second in LaLiga) driving them.
Real Sociedad
Sociedad’s form is patchy, with a 2-1 win over Cádiz on April 12, 2025, and a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby. Their 3-2 loss to Barcelona on January 19, 2025, showed fight, with Oyarzabal’s goal trending on @LaLigaEnglish. Their Copa del Rey run, despite the semi-final exit, included a 2-0 win over Mallorca, with Kubo’s flair shining.
YouTube Trends and Fan Searches
YouTube is a hub for this rivalry, with fans flocking to highlights and analyses:
“Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid highlights 2025”: The 4-4 Copa del Rey second leg dominates, with clips on @ESPNFC (300,000 views) and @UEFA (150,000 views) showcasing Rüdiger’s winner and Endrick’s chip.
“Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad 2-1 LaLiga”: Valverde’s screamer and Joselu’s header from September 2023 trend on @LaLigaEnglish, with 200,000 views.
“Mikel Oyarzabal goals Real Madrid”: His two headers in the Copa del Rey draw are compiled on @FootballFocus, hitting 100,000 views.
“Why did Real Sociedad lose Copa del Rey?”: Analyses on @TifoFootball (80,000 views) cite Alaba’s own goals and Remiro’s fumble on Tchouaméni’s header.
“Endrick Real Madrid goals”: His Copa del Rey strikes, especially the chip, trend on @TNT Sports, with 120,000 views.
Fans also search “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid full match” for replays, though condensed highlights on @LaLigaEnglish and @HNS_CFF suffice due to broadcast restrictions. “Jude Bellingham volley” and “Vinícius assist Endrick” are popular for their flair, with X posts like @MyXperiences_ praising Sociedad’s four goals at the Bernabéu.
Fan Sentiment and Online Buzz
X captures the rivalry’s intensity. @grok’s April 18, 2025, post celebrated Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final win, noting the 5-4 aggregate and key players like Bellingham and Rüdiger. @MyXperiences_ lauded Sociedad’s fight, stating, “This washed Sociedad team scored 4 goals vs Real Madrid at the Bernabéu and beat Barça in the league.” @Miguel_LPereira’s post on Sociedad’s 1980-82 titles in dramatic fashion reflects their underdog spirit.
Google searches include:
“Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid highlights”: The Copa del Rey and LaLiga clashes dominate, with clips on @ESPNFC and @LaLigaEnglish.
“Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad H2H”: Fans seek AiScore and Sofascore stats, showing Madrid’s 27 wins since 2004.
“Real Sociedad top scorers 2025”: Oyarzabal (6 goals), Barrenetxea (5), and Kubo (4) lead, per FootyStats.
“Real Madrid treble chances”: Their LaLiga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey campaigns fuel searches, with BBC Sport noting their pursuit.
“Takefusa Kubo transfer rumors”: His performances spark Arsenal and Liverpool links, per Goal.com.
Tactical and Managerial Insights
Real Madrid
Ancelotti’s decision to rest Mbappé for the Copa del Rey second leg, starting Endrick, paid off, though he admitted to “a lot of mistakes,” per ESPN. Madrid’s 4-3-3 thrives on Bellingham’s box-to-box runs and Vinícius’s dribbling (9 assists), but Lucas Vázquez’s defensive lapses (4/10 rating vs. Sociedad) and Alaba’s own goals (3/10) drew criticism on Managing Madrid. Ancelotti’s post-match comment, “We gave everything until the end,” reflects their resilience.
Real Sociedad
Alguacil’s high-pressing 4-2-3-1 overwhelmed Madrid early, with Barrenetxea exploiting Vázquez and Zubimendi dictating play. However, Remiro’s error on Tchouaméni’s header and late defensive lapses cost them, per Goal.com. Alguacil’s belief in reaching the final, expressed pre-match, inspired Sociedad’s fightback, with Oyarzabal’s leadership earning praise on X.
Challenges and Controversies
Real Madrid
Defensive Issues: Alaba’s own goals and Vázquez’s struggles highlight a makeshift backline, with fans searching “Real Madrid defense problems.”
Mbappé’s Form: His red card and 6 LaLiga goals (below expectations) spark searches for “Mbappé Real Madrid controversy.”
Injuries: Éder Militão’s absence and Alaba’s recovery from an ACL injury, per Managing Madrid, test depth.
Real Sociedad
Injuries: Muñoz and Odriozola’s absences weaken the flanks, with fans searching “Real Sociedad squad update.”
Goalkeeping Errors: Remiro’s fumble on Tchouaméni’s header drew criticism, with YouTube analyses on @TheSunFootball.
Transfer Speculation: Zubimendi and Kubo’s links to Arsenal and Liverpool, per The Athletic, fuel searches for “Real Sociedad transfers 2025.”
Upcoming Clash: May 25, 2025
The LaLiga fixture at Reale Arena on May 25, 2025, is pivotal. Madrid, chasing the title, face a Sociedad side eager to upset their Basque rivals after Athletic Bilbao’s 1-1 draw. Sociedad’s home form (7 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses) and Kubo’s flair make them dangerous, while Madrid’s away record (8 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses) is strong. Fans search “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid prediction” and “LaLiga 2025 fixtures” for odds, with Sofascore predicting a 2-2 draw.
Broadcasting and How to Watch
LaLiga matches air on Movistar and DAZN in Spain, Premier Sports in the UK, and ESPN+ in the US. The Copa del Rey semi-final was broadcast on RTVE and Movistar, with highlights on @ESPNFC and @LaLigaEnglish. The May 25 clash will stream on ESPN+ and DAZN, with lineups on Sofascore an hour before kick-off. Fans searching “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid live stream” find legal options on livescores.biz.
Off-Field Impact
Real Madrid
The Bernabéu’s 81,044 capacity roared during the Copa del Rey semi-final, with Rüdiger’s winner sparking “wild celebrations,” per BBC Sport. Madrid’s €1.2 billion squad value and €150 million Champions League revenue, per Transfermarkt, underline their financial might. Fans search “Real Madrid Bernabéu atmosphere” for YouTube vlogs on @HalaMadrid.
Real Sociedad
Reale Arena’s 39,500 fans create a cauldron, with the Peña Mujika’s tifos during the first leg trending on @LaLigaEnglish. Sociedad’s €400 million squad value and academy gems like Zubimendi fuel searches for “Real Sociedad youth system.” Their 1980-82 titles, celebrated by @Miguel_LPereira, evoke nostalgia.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, 2025, in Seville, and their Champions League quarter-final second leg vs. Arsenal are crucial. A LaLiga title push hinges on the May 25 clash, with Bellingham and Vinícius key. Sociedad, targeting a top-six finish, aim to derail Madrid at home, with Oyarzabal and Kubo central. Their Europa League hopes depend on overtaking Girona, with fans searching “Real Sociedad European qualification.”
The 2024-25 Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid rivalry has delivered unforgettable moments, from the 2-1 LaLiga thriller to the 4-4 Copa del Rey epic. Madrid’s 5-4 aggregate triumph, sealed by Rüdiger’s header, keeps their treble dreams alive, while Sociedad’s fightback, led by Oyarzabal’s brace, earned respect. As fans flock to YouTube for “Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid highlights” and debate the May 25 showdown on X, this clash embodies Spanish football’s passion. With Bellingham’s volleys, Endrick’s chips, and Sociedad’s Basque spirit, the Reale Arena awaits another chapter in this storied rivalry, promising drama and glory.
FAQS
When is the Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid match?
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 2:00 AM IST. LatestLY+1NewsX World+1
Where is the match being played?
The match will take place at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián, Spain.NewsX World+6LatestLY+6Sporting News+6
How can I watch the match live in India?
Indian viewers can stream the match live on FanCode, the official streaming partner for Copa del Rey 2024–25 in India. A match pass is available for ₹25. NewsX World+2LatestLY+2LatestLY+2
Will the match be broadcast on TV in India?
No, the match will not be televised live on any TV channel in India.World+3LatestLY+3
What are the predicted line-ups for both teams?
Real Sociedad (4-4-1-1):
Alex Remiro (GK)
Aihen Muñoz, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Pacheco, Jon Aramburu
Takefusa Kubo, Martin Zubimendi, Benat Turrientes, Sergio Gomez
Ander Barrenetxea
Umar SadiqSporting NewsSportskeeda+4News18+4Sporting News+4
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia
Federico Valverde, Luka Modric
Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Kylian MbappeNews18+1Sporting News+1
Note: Kylian Mbappe is expected to start despite missing recent training sessions due to a dental issue.
What is the head-to-head record between the two teams?
In their last 46 encounters, Real Madrid has won 28 times, while Real Sociedad has secured 9 victories. However, Real Sociedad has been unbeaten in four of their last eight La Liga matches against Real Madrid. Sportskeeda+1Sporting News+1
What are the key storylines heading into this match?
Historical Upsets: Real Sociedad has previously eliminated Real Madrid in memorable matches, including a 3-4 victory in 2020 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Home Advantage: Real Sociedad boasts a strong home record, having won 11 of their last 13 matches at the Reale Arena.
Mbappe’s Impact: Kylian Mbappe’s presence continues to be a focal point, with fans recalling his past performances against Real Sociedad. Diario ASSportskeeda+1Diario AS+1NewsX World
What are the predictions for this match?
Experts predict a Real Madrid victory, with scores ranging from 2-0 to 3-1 in their favor. However, Real Sociedad’s strong home form and historical successes against Madrid suggest the tie could be closely contested.
Are there any notable injuries or suspensions?
As of now, there are no confirmed suspensions for either team. However, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal is recovering from an ankle injury and may not feature in the match.
Where can I find live updates and highlights?
For live updates and post-match highlights, you can visit:
FanCode
asThis fixture promises to be an exciting encounter, with Real Sociedad looking to capitalize on their home advantage and Real Madrid aiming to assert their dominance. Fans can look forward to a thrilling match filled with passion and high stakes.
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