Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad: Winners and Losers from La Liga Game
Real Sociedad opened the scoring inside the first minute, but Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid roared back to win 4-1 on Saturday.
Aritz Elustondo beat Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas with an early header, but less than two minutes later, the guests were back on level terms through James Rodriguez.
Sergio Ramos scored what proved to be the winner in the 37th minute, and Benzema's second-half brace sealed the points for the Primera Division leaders.
Overall, there were several performances that stood out at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, as well as one or two less impressive ones.
Following are the winners and losers from the encounter.
Winner: Marcelo, Who Set Up Madrid's Equaliser
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Real Madrid got taken by surprise on Aritz Elustondo's first-minute opener, but less than two minutes later they were back on level terms thanks to James Rodriguez—and a little help from Marcelo.
The Brazil left-back set up his fellow South American with a fantastic cross from the right that the Colombian nodded past Real Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
On the day, the 26-year-old also touched the ball 86 times, contributed a pair of tackles and completed 85 percent of his passes, according to WhoScored.
Losers: Carlos Vela and Sergio Canales, Who Went Down Injured
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Real Sociedad accomplished little after taking the early lead, and they weren't helped by an injury to Carlos Vela that forced the Mexico international's withdrawal in the 17th minute.
With the striker on the pitch, who knows how they might have fared over the next 20 minutes, in which neither team scored.
Instead, they went firmly on the back foot and found themselves behind going into the break, at which point Sergio Canales had to be removed from the match with his own knock.
"Real Soc say both Vela and Canales have twisted knees. Pretty unfortunate for Moyes those," commented ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan via Twitter.
Winner: Isco, Who Worked His Magic Throughout the Match
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Twinkle-toed Isco seemed to dribble for fun on Saturday, and as the match wore on, Aritz Elustondo simply wanted nothing to do with him.
The Real Sociedad right-back left the game in the 63rd minute.
In the 76th, Isco laid the ball off to Karim Benzema, whose rocket of a shot left Sociedad 'keeper Rulli with no chance whatsoever.
"Golazo! What a strike by Benzema, sublime strike for 4-1," exclaimed AS journalist Nicholas Rigg via Twitter. "He started it, one-two with Isco and curled into the top corner. Brilliant.
Winner: Asier Illarramendi, Who Had Something to Prove
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It's no secret that Real Madrid have been trying to sell Asier Illarramendi to Athletic Bilbao, although on Friday, the midfielder rejected the move, according to talkSPORT.
It was with something to prove, then, that the 24-year-old took his place in the starting lineup on Saturday, and over the course of the 90 minutes, he both strung things together in the centre of the park and smothered any hint of buildup play from the guests.
According to WhoScored, Illarramendi touched the ball 86 times at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, completed an impressive 92 percent of his passes and threw himself into four tackles.
Loser: Gareth Bale, Who Didn't Step Up in Cristiano Ronaldo's Absence
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Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension provided an opportunity for Gareth Bale to thrive in the limelight, but despite assisting on one of Karim Benzema's two goals, the Welshman failed to take his chance on Saturday.
In the 40th minute, Bale shoved teammate James Rodriguez out of his way to get himself on the end of Benzema's pass. But he couldn't hit the target. Then, just four minutes later, he skied a free-kick from a dangerous position.
Midway through the second half, he even found himself in front of goal unchallenged but was denied by Sociedad goalkeeper Rulli.
"Bale through one-on-one with Rulli, but hits keepers chest with shot," remarked ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan. "Some whistles, then some 'Gareth Gareth Bale' cheers in support."
No doubt it will be the whistles, and the misses, the Spanish press will focus on over the next few days.
Winner: Karim Benzema, Who Scored a Brace
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It ended up being Karim Benzema, and not Gareth Bale, who filled Cristiano Ronaldo's boots on Saturday.
In the 52nd minute, the France striker accepted Bale's return and swept the ball into the back of the net, and his 76th-minute strike, following Isco's layoff, could end up being one of his best goals of the season.
"Standing ovation from the Bernabeu for Benzema. Obviously," tweeted Real Madrid TV's Phil Kitromilides.
Per RealMadrid.com, manager Carlo Ancelotti said:
"Benzema put in a fantastic performance. The goal he scored was top quality. He has a fantastic strike, but we also have to appreciate the way he helps the team's play. He isn't just a striker who plays in the box, he is very good in every area and has a lot of quality. We had a lot of chances and shots on goal.
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