Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Lineups: Confirmed Teams Feb 14

Real Madrid hosted Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 14, 2026, in a match that carried extra weight given the visitors’ remarkable 11-game unbeaten run. The day’s biggest talking point arrived before kick-off when Kylian Mbappé was named among the substitutes rather than the starting XI. The match delivered on its promise, with the hosts sweeping to a 4-1 victory that sent them back to the top of La Liga.

Date: 14 Feb 2026 ·
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu ·
Key Absence: Mbappé ·
Squad Call: 18 players

Why is Mbappé not playing vs Real Sociedad?

Kylian Mbappé watched from the substitutes’ bench after missing some team training sessions during the week with discomfort in his left knee, according to ESPN’s match report. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed the French forward was available but chose not to start him. “Available but not starting” has become a familiar scenario this season, with the club managing Mbappé’s workload carefully.

Mbappé injury status

The left knee discomfort kept Mbappé out of full training in the lead-up to the match. Rather than risk aggravating the issue, the coaching staff opted for a cautious approach. He remained on the bench throughout, though he did not enter the game.

Replacement players

With Mbappé unavailable for the starting XI, Gonzalo García stepped into the attack. The young forward repaid the faith by scoring the opening goal after just five minutes, threading a finish past Álex Remiro following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assist. The early goal set the tone for what would become a dominant Madrid performance.

What is the Real Madrid lineup?

Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation under coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with Thibaut Courtois anchoring the defense from goal, according to Sky Sports team sheets.

Starting XI

• GK: Thibaut Courtois
• RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (substituted 60′, replaced by Dani Carvajal)
• CB: Antonio Rüdiger (substituted 60′, replaced by David Alaba)
• CB: Dean Huijsen
• LB: Álex Carreras / Álex Fernández
• CM: Federico Valverde (c) (substituted 73′, replaced by Dani Ceballos)
• CM: Arda Güler
• CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni (substituted 79′, replaced by Javi Cestero)
• AM: Eduardo Camavinga (substituted 73′, replaced by Brahim Díaz)
• FW: Gonzalo García
• FW: Vinícius Júnior

Captain’s duties fell to Federico Valverde in the absence of usual skipper Dani Carvajal, who began the match on the bench before coming on for Alexander-Arnold at the hour mark.

Substitutes

Real Madrid’s substitutes’ bench included Mbappé, Carvajal, Alaba, Ceballos, Brahim Díaz, and Javi Cestero. Jude Bellingham, Éder Militão, and Rodrygo were sidelined with injuries.

Key positions

The defensive partnership of Rüdiger and the emerging Huijsen held firm despite Real Sociedad’s brief equalizing spell. In midfield, Valverde’s box-to-box energy proved decisive, while Vinícius terrorized the visitors’ backline with his pace and direct running.

Did Real Madrid file a complaint against the referees?

Multiple penalty decisions went against Real Madrid during the match, drawing strong reactions from the home side. Jon Aramburu fouled Vinícius Júnior to concede the penalties at 25′ and 48′, while Dean Huijsen’s challenge on Yangel Herrera gave Real Sociedad their own spot-kick at 21′. The combination of decisions appeared to frustrate the Madrid camp, though official complaints have not been formally documented in the sources reviewed.

Referee decision controversy

Referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso awarded four penalties across the match—a rare occurrence that naturally drew scrutiny. The two awarded to Real Madrid came from clear Aramburu fouls on Vinícius, while the Real Sociedad penalty stemmed from Huijsen’s challenge on Herrera inside the box.

Rules expert view

The volume of penalty calls drew attention given the high-profile nature of the fixture. While the decisions themselves appeared consistent with the incidents on review, the cluster of spot-kicks in a single match remains noteworthy for La Liga observers.

Who won Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad?

Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with goals from Gonzalo García (5′), Vinícius Júnior (25′ pen, 48′ pen), and Federico Valverde (31′). Mikel Oyarzabal scored the visitors’ only goal from the penalty spot at 21′. The match attracted 74,176 spectators and was refereed by Francisco José Hernández Maeso, per ESPN’s match summary.

Final score

The 4-1 scoreline reflected Madrid’s dominance, though Real Sociedad briefly leveled through Oyarzabal’s penalty before the hosts scored three times before halftime. Vinícius came close to a hat-trick late in the game but was ruled offside for a goal that would have made it 5-1.

Standings impact

The victory pushed Real Madrid to 60 points from a 19-3-2 record, moving them back to the summit of La Liga. Real Sociedad, who came into the match unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions, remained on 31 points from their 8-7-9 record. This loss marked their first defeat of 2026.

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad player ratings

Post-match analysis from Football Espana highlighted several standout performers in what was otherwise a comfortable Madrid victory.

Top performers

• Vinícius Júnior: Scored twice from the penalty spot, constantly dangerous on the counter
• Federico Valverde: Scored, led the midfield, and wore the captain’s armband
• Trent Alexander-Arnold: Provided the assist for the opening goal, solid defensively
• Dean Huijsen: Commanding in defense despite the penalty incident

Key moments

The match turned on three quick goals between the 21st and 31st minutes. After Oyarzabal’s penalty leveled things at 1-1, Madrid responded immediately—Vinícius converted his first penalty just four minutes later, and Valverde added a third six minutes after that. The visitors never recovered.

Real Madrid’s focus now turns to their Champions League playoff against Benfica, with the first leg looming on the horizon. The win over Real Sociedad provided valuable momentum and confidence, but the European test will demand even more from a squad already stretched by injuries. Madrid must now find a way to sustain their domestic form while competing in Europe.

Related reading: Benfica vs FC Barcelona Lineups – Predicted XIs and Team News

Real Madrid’s commanding 4-1 win featured lineups detailed in Real Sociedads lineup analysis, revealing tactical edges even with Mbappé sidelined by knee issues.

Frequently asked questions

For La Liga title contenders and Champions League hopefuls alike, the verdict is straightforward: Madrid’s depth is real, their winning mentality under Arbeloa is evident, and the next fortnight will reveal whether the squad can sustain this dual pursuit.