Vinicius scores twice from the spot as Real Madrid claim top spot in La Liga and halt Sociedad's streak

Vinicius Junior earned and dispatched two penalties while Real Madrid crushed Real Sociedad 4-1 on Saturday, securing a temporary lead in La Liga.

Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a strong showing in his first start after more than two months, aiding Los Blancos in pulling ahead of title holders Barcelona by two points, with the Catalan side set to play Girona on Monday.

The solid outing from Madrid resulted in the initial loss for the visiting American manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, during his tenth game leading Real Sociedad.

Emerging forward Gonzalo Garcia along with Fede Valverde also found the net for Alvaro Arbeloa's Madrid squad, who are gearing up for a crucial Champions League qualifier against Jose Mourinho's Benfica in Lisbon on Tuesday.

"We put in excellent effort both offensively and defensively... it was clear we were protecting as a unit throughout the match," Valverde shared with Real Madrid TV.

"We've endured demanding schedules with thorough preparations, and now we'll push for the La Liga crown and Champions League success."

Returning to the lineup for his debut appearance since early December following a thigh issue, Alexander-Arnold wasted little time influencing proceedings.

The English full-back's delivery was neatly converted by Garcia, who stepped in for French sensation Kylian Mbappe, sidelined by minor knee trouble.

"Trent possesses sharp intelligence, grasps the game deeply, and has swiftly adapted to our expectations," Arbeloa commented to the press.

"We're fortunate to count on a talent like him, versatile in central or wide roles... during dead balls, his deliveries can spark rapid breaks, he's an outstanding performer."

Real Sociedad equalised after 21 minutes when Yangel Herrera was awkwardly brought down by Dean Huijsen inside Madrid's penalty area.

Mikel Oyarzabal blasted the penalty straight down the centre, yet La Real's celebration proved brief.

Vinicius secured a penalty himself soon after at the opposite end, as Jon Aramburu brought him down in the box, and the Brazilian deceived Alex Remiro.

Madrid dominated proceedings, with Valverde adding a superb third goal in the 31st minute, drifting into space just outside the area before bending it into the upper corner.

Dynamic Vinicius

Matarazzo introduced Goncalo Guedes at the interval, aiming for a recovery, but Aramburu gave away yet another penalty soon after the restart.

Vinicius charged at him again, threading the ball through the defender's legs before dropping to the ground as the right-back challenged.

Vinicius opted for the bottom left this time, altering his approach, and Remiro was unable to stop it.

With Jude Bellingham sidelined by injury and Mbappe on the sidelines, Vinicius enjoyed extra space to express himself and thrived as the central attacking presence.

"From the moment I joined, he's produced matches of exceptional quality... he's beyond mere numbers, the way he transforms games, pressures defences, draws multiple markers," Arbeloa noted.

"(Vinicius is) among the elite globally, I'm privileged to guide him, he's a superb young man with tremendous character."

Garcia nearly doubled his tally, but Real Sociedad's Jon Martin, who stood out despite the loss, blocked the attempt on the goal line.

Vinicius had a hat-trick thwarted by the assistant referee's offside call after he nodded in Arda Guler's inswinging free-kick with his shoulder, having edged marginally ahead.

"The opening period was challenging, we felt uneasy... overall, we underperformed," Oyarzabal remarked to Movistar, as his side's unbeaten sequence concluded.

"We arrived in fine form and performing solidly, one poor outing shouldn't undermine that."

Earlier, Villarreal suffered a 2-1 loss at Getafe, dealing a setback to their top-four ambitions.

The fourth-placed Yellow Submarine lacked their usual spark, and Mauro Arambarri opened the scoring for the home side from 12 yards just before half-time.

Martin Satriano increased Getafe's advantage early in the second half, with Georges Mikautadze responding for Villarreal, though Marcelino Garcia Toral's outfit couldn't level the score.

Real Betis in fifth could close to four points behind Villarreal with a victory over Mallorca on Sunday.