Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Madrid's fumbling La Liga title challenge dealt another blow
Re-live the action from Santiago Bernabeu
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Real Madrid slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad to deliver another blow to their fumbling title challenge in LaLiga.
Willian Jose opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside three minutes and, after Lucas Vazquez was sent off just after the hour mark, Ruben Pardo wrapped up the victory for the visitors inside the final 10 minutes.
Re-live the action below:
When is it?
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad gets underway at 17:30 GMT.
Where to watch
Eleven Sports are showing live coverage on the tie on Elven Sports 1
Odds
Real Madrid to win: 2/5
Real Sociedad to win: 7/1
Draw: 4/1
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad: It’s been two weeks since the visitors last played a league game and the tests do not come much tougher than this. Real Madrid have been inconsistent in the league this season, but they should be able to seal the three points from this one.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
61 minutes
Things are going from bad to worse for Real Madrid. Lucas Vazquez, already on a yellow, takes out Merino from behind and gets a second booking. The hosts are down to ten and have a real job on their hands now.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
64 minutes
Willian Jose plays a ball over the top for Merino, who brings the ball down and gets an early shot off. It's a comfortable save for Courtois, but Real Sociedad look the more likely to score at the moment.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
65 minutes
Huge appeals from Real Madrid for a penalty, but the referee is not interested. Vinicius races clear of the Real Sociedad defence, demonstrating his astonishing speed. Rulli rushes out and dives at his feet. The Brazilian forward goes to ground but the referee doesn't point to the spot.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
67 minutes
Real Madrid are ramping up the pressure. Vinicius comes close again, forcing a save from Rulli. Ramos nearly converts the rebound and a moment later wins a header from close range. Rulli is there again to save.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
67 minutes
At the other end, Januzaj is presented with another chance, but he can't beat Courtois. This has been an incredibly open second half.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
69 minutes
Real Sociedad make their first change: Zaldua is on for Elustondo.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
72 minutes
Vinicius has been Real Madrid's main source of creativity throughout. He races to the byline unopposed, forcing defenders to back away, and drills a dangerous ball across. It's well defended again.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
73 minutes
The away side should have scored a second by now. Oyarzabal beats the offside trap and directs his finish at goal. Courtois is there again to save and keep Los Blancos in the game.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
75 minutes
The referee isn't making himself popular. Januzaj somehow gets away with a deliberate handball after another Real Sociedad counter attack. Modric complains and finds himself in the book. The whistles ring out at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
76 minutes
If Real Sociedad don't win this they will have nothing to blame but their own profligacy. Januzaj is again picked out in the box with space, and again his shot is blocked. They've been wasteful and Real Madrid are still in with a chance.
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