Real Sociedad defeated Villarreal 1-0 in La Liga at home, recording their sixth consecutive clean sheet. After criticizing the league for scheduling them to play three games in seven days, Sociedad played in protest. But Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo got the hectic run started to a great start. He took advantage of a lengthy clearance six minutes into the second half to push his way into the Villarreal area and prod the ball under the goalie. It was Sociedad's first league victory since early December, but it was also their sixth straight home game without a goal.

They now sit in seventh position, two points and two spots behind Villarreal, after Monday's outcome. However, La Real ended up smiling because they won to start their 2025 Liga campaign. Villarreal has only won one of their past seven La Liga games, so Marcelino will be worried about their performance.