Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match
Real Madrid moved temporarily to the top of the standings in La Liga after securing a narrow 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Anoeta Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts defended admirably to keep out their opponents until late in the game, but they were ultimately beaten by Gareth Bale's powerful header 10 minutes before the final whistle.
The Welshman's 19th league goal this season sees Real leapfrog title rivals Barcelona and Atletico to reach the summit of the table with only two games left for Los Blancos. Atletico face Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona take on Real Betis later on Saturday.
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The official La Liga account provided the standings after a vital three points for Real:
Squawka told the tale of the tape:
Real entered the Liga clash knowing that a perfect run of results in their remaining games may still not be enough to topple fierce rivals Barca from the top of the standings. However, they would start the game with a flurry in the Basque Country.
The match began at a high tempo, with both sides looking positive from the first whistle. Hosts Sociedad were without key players Carlos Vela and Imanol Agirretxe but entered the encounter with the knowledge they took three points off Lionel Messi and Co. at the same location merely weeks ago.
James Rodriguez, handed a rare first-team start under manager Zinedine Zidane, was the first to put a significant effort on goal inside the opening 10 minutes.
The Colombia international collected Lucas Vazquez's cutback and struck a low effort toward the bottom corner with his first touch, which Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli did well to turn behind.
Bleacher Report's European football writer Karl Matchett was impressed by the performance of the Sociedad goalkeeper:
Five minutes later, Gareth Bale—forced to lead the line due to the continued absence of star player Cristiano Ronaldo—saw his first effort of the day flash wide. The Welsh winger met a deep cross into the box from a set piece but could only head wide of goal after leaping above his marker.
Indeed, Bale should have opened the scoring on the 20 minute mark. Once again it was via the same approach, with Rodriguez producing some fine skill down the left-wing before whipping a smart ball into the six-yard box. Again the former Tottenham Hotspur forward climbed highest in the area, but his header on goal dropped wide of the target.
Yahoo's La Liga writer Andrew Gaffney held special praise for the often-underappreciated Keylor Navas during the encounter:
Sociedad were beginning to work their way into the contest midway through the first period, with Bruma beginning to cause Danilo problems in the right-back area with his pace and dribbling. Additionally, a quick break from Madrid's corner kick saw David Zurutuza get in behind his opponents' back line, but he failed to make headway after being closed down by Rafael Varane and Sergio Ramos.
Into the second period, and Real were in the ascendancy again. Zidane had clearly told his players to focus on getting the ball out wide and providing crosses into the box, with their attackers a constant needle in the side of the Sociedad back four.
Rodriguez, figuring on the right of midfield, had the beating of full-back Joseba Zaldua and bent a wicked low ball into the box that fell fortunately to the feet of the world's most expensive player on the 60 minute mark. With the ball stationary eight-yards out, the ex-Spurs winger could only strike the feet of the outstretched Rulli as he was denied.
Moments later, the young Argentina stopper was at it again after preventing Jese's strike across goal from finding the back of the net with a fine punch away. However, with 10 minutes left to play, there was nothing the former Estudiantes goalkeeper could do to stop Real breaking the deadlock.
Goal's Ben Hayward praised Bale's determination after missing a couple of chances earlier in the game:
Meanwhile, WhoScored.com detailed the statistic that makes him one of the most lethal marksmen in the air in Europe:
Jese collected the ball and darted down the right-flank before standing up his defender. The young attacker then sent a delightful cross towards the near post as Bale got the better of his marker to crash a fine header into the back of the net and unleash a feeling of relief among all Real players and fans.
Zidane's men held on to secure a vital away win to leapfrog their rivals at the top and now lead the table by two points over Luis Enrique's Barca. Despite missing Ronaldo due to injury, it would be his partner in crime Bale who would force the issue for Real as they go in search of a first domestic title since 2011-12.
Post-Match Reaction
Real boss Zidane was pleased with his players' determination to ensure the three points returned home to Madrid after being held for large periods of the game by Eusebio Sacristan's side.
Per realmadrid.com, the Frenchman said: "We fought, we suffered, we worked until the end against a team that played really well and we've picked up three points again. I'm happy with the work.
"We have done the job, and that’s the most important thing. The others have to play and the important thing for us was getting the points, because if we didn’t get them today, La Liga would have become more difficult. Now we have to rest well and think about the (UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg tie with Manchester City) on Wednesday."
Zidane was also thrilled to see Bale claim the match winning goal on Saturday and says the forward deserves reward for his hard work.
"I'm happy for him because he's had a lot of problems with injuries this year," Zidane was quoted as saying on the club's website.
"When he's well he plays and when I see him score it makes me happy for him and for the team. He could have scored in the first half. Gareth has had a few problems this season. But he is able to play and cope just like Cristiano. He can play a lot of games.
"He's recovering really well physically. That fact he's scored in a game like today's is good going in to Wednesday."
