Player Watch · Oct 19, 2026
Kubo is back: first goal in 302 days, plus an assist, as Real Sociedad thrash Málaga 5–2
That's the Kubo we know. Takefusa Kubo started for Real Sociedad at Málaga on Saturday (Oct 18) and needed just three minutes to remind everyone what he does: cut in from the right, open up the left foot, far corner. It was his first goal of the season and his first for the club since December 20, 2025, a wait of 302 days. He wasn't done, either. Early in the second half he slipped the final pass for Mikel Oyarzabal, his first assist of the season, and La Real ran out 5–2 winners. Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo said he had shaken off the pressure he was under, per GOAL Japan. It's been a big month for Kubo off the pitch too: he and actress Haruka Fukuhara announced their marriage on Oct 2, while he was in camp with the national team. After weeks on the bench, this is exactly the timing Samurai Blue fans were hoping for, with Brazil and Paraguay coming up in Singapore next month (Nov 14 and 17). Welcome back, Take.
Source: Nikkan Sports via Yahoo Japan