Spot kicks success send Madrid up to second in Spain
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have converted penalties to help earn Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad after the hosts were repeatedly denied by the woodwork in La Liga.
Vinicius put the visitors ahead in the 58th minute on Saturday after an unnecessary handball by former Manchester City player Sergio Gomez gave the Madrid forward the chance to break the deadlock.
Mbappe put the result beyond doubt in the 75th after a video review by the referee determined that Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu stomped on Vinicius' foot in the box.
But before the goals, Madrid had to weather a furious attack by the Basque club that found ways through the defending champion's defence only to be turned back by the goal-frame.
Luka Sucic hit the post twice, including a missile that rattled the crossbar in the 25th, and Sheraldo Becker also sent a ball off the crossbar.
"We probably didn't deserve to win," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
"But we knew how to dig in during the worst moments."
Their first away victory leaves Madrid one point behind leaders Barcelona, before they visit Girona on Sunday.
Sociedad have lost all three homes games this season.
Elsewhere, Jesus Navas rifled in a powerful shot from a tight angle to give Sevilla their first victory of the campaign after edging Getafe 1-0 at home.
The 38-year-old, who won the European Championship with Spain this summer to add to his 2010 World Cup, announced afterwards he was retiring from international soccer and would likewise retire from club competition at the end of 2024.
Javi Puado scored a hat-trick to lead Espanyol to a 3-2 win at home over Alaves and secure a second consecutive victory for the Barcelona-based club that spent last season in the second division.
Villarreal's Ayoze Perez scored late, his third goal in five games since joining from Real Betis, to win 2-1 at Mallorca.