Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2021/22
Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid: as it happened
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Real Madrid deservedly take the three points back to the Spanish capital and with that our coverage ends here. Thanks for joining and we'll see you next time for more LaLiga action.
Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run against Real Sociedad on Saturday, with an impressive win in the Basque Country. The Reale Arena is a difficult place to go and it was an unlikely hero who helped claim all three points on the night.
Many Madrid fans would have been worried when they saw Karim Benzema go off injured early in the first half. His replacement, Luka Jovic, came on to change the game for Los Blancos. He was involved in Madrid's first, holding up the ball, before laying it off to Vinicius, who slotted home his tenth league goal of the season.
Jovic then doubled Madrid's lead with a header from close range. The Serbian striker's goal was only his third for the LaLiga giants.
La Real struggled to maintain their first half intensity and never threatened Courtois in the Madrid goal as Madrid ran out worthy winners.
FT: Real Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid's 2-0 win at Real Sociedad moves them 8 points clear at the top of LaLiga.
Madrid are about to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga.
There will be 3 minutes added on. Real Sociedad have been poor in the second half.
Remiro saves from Vinicius. It's an excellent save in a 1v1 where Vincius looked certain to score. The keeper keeps it out with his legs.
Ferland Mendy picks up the loose ball and shoots but his effort goes over from the edge of the box.
The subs combine. Asensio slips in Valverde, who wins a corner as his cross is deflected.
OFF Rodrygo & Kroos
ON Asensio & Valverde
Madrid are set to make more changes. Asensio and Valverde are coming in.
Camavinga tackles well and it's a corner for the home side. Courtois leaps off his line to claim the cross. 0-2
Stat: Real Sociedad haven't had a shot on target in the game.
Jovic is down after a head clash with Zubimendi.
Real Sociedad have struggled against the bigger sides this season. There is still a way to go in this one but you would fancy Madrid to hold onto or even add to their 2-goal lead.
Real Sociedad make a double change:
OFF Gorosabel & Januzaj
ON Zaldua & Portu
On a day when both Barcelona and Atlético have lost, this would be an even sweeter win for Madrid.
Casemiro gets a hug from Ancelotti as he goes off. Camavinga will go and sit in front of the back four.
Real Madrid change:
OFF Casemiro
ON Camavinga
Valverde, Camavinga and Asensio are warming up.
Jovic does so well to score this one. Kroos' corner is headed down into the 6-yard box and the Serbian striker dives down to head home from close range. It's his first goal of the season!
Vinicius and Jovic combine once again, but the Brazilian's shot goes wide.
It's Vinicius' tenth league goal of the season. He takes it so well after some good build-up play with Jovic.
REAL MADRID TAKE THE LEAD!
Real Sociedad get us underway for the second 45'
The players are on their way back out for the second half at the Reale Arena.
HT: Real Sociedad 0-0 Real Madrid
The referee blows the whistle as La Real break on the counter and win a corner. The home side are not happy.
There will be one minute added on.
This time Oyarzabal goes down after shooting into the side-netting. It doesn't look like there was much contact when he shot and he should be fine.
Vinicius breaks on the counter and strikes fear into the home defence until Zubeldia comes across to win the ball and clear. Good defending from the centre-back. It remains 0-0.
Casemiro flies in on Isak but wins the ball. Free-kick to La Real.
Modric wins the ball in the middle, lifts his head and plays a ball wide to Mendy. Young midfielders learning their trade should study Modric closely. Absolutely superb.
It's end to end! Oyarzabal buries a ball across the box. Mendy turns it out for a corner, that is then overhit and Real Madrid start again with Courtois.
Vinicius is doing serious damage down the left. This time Gorosabel takes him out just outside the box. Kroos takes the free-kick but it's straight into the wall. 0-0
Oyarzabal receives instructions from Alguacil
Photo: Reuters / Vincent West
Rodrygo shoots!
He beats Diego Rico on the outside and smacks it goalbound. It's heading for the top corner but Remiro gets a strong left hand to the strike.
Januzaj!
The former Manchester United man lays it off to Isak, who returns it to the Belgian before he unleashes a low strike from 20 yards that goes wide of Courtois' goal.
Vinicius breaks from the left, cuts inside and curls an effort into Remiro's hands. 0-0
The Benzema debate will now begin. He has played in every game except the away win over Elche. Has Ancelotti used him too often this season?
Real Madrid change:
OFF Benzema
ON Jovic
Karim Benzema is down and looks set for an early shower.
It appears to be a knee problem for Benzema. Jovic is ready to replace to Frenchman.
Jovic is warming up. Benzema may be replaced.
Oyarzabal's free hits the wall. Kroos and Modric win the resulting battle for the ball on the edge of the box. Modric was expected to start on the bench tonight but Ancelotti trusts the old guard more than anyone.
Mendy is now back on his feet. Casemiro takes out Isak and it's a free for La Real about 40 yards from goal.
Ferland Mendy is down and looks to be in some pain.
Madrid race up the other end. They look dangerous as Benzema links up with Rodrygo this time. The young forward isn't able to produce the cross he's looking for. 0-0
Oyarzabal wins a corner. Januzaj takes it. Madrid clear.
Sorloth and Isak are in attack for the Basque side. The Scandinavian duo will be looking to take the Madrid defence apart tonight. Isak has good memories of playing against Los Blancos, having helped La Real knock them out of the Copa del Rey in 2020.
Ancelotti looks pretty chilled on the touchline, hands in pockets and with plenty of chewing gum. His side have started the better here.
Vinicius has the first shot of the game. The Brazilian links up nicely with Benzema before hitting the target from 20 yards. He fails to get a proper strike of the ball and it's straightforward for Remiro.
Real Sociedad have set up in a 4-4-2 system. Real Madrid are in their usual 4-3-3.
We're underway!
Real Madrid play in their navy blue away kit and kick us off!
It's a full house in San Sebastián tonight and the place is rocking.
The players are in the tunnel at the Reale Arena.
Real Sociedad players warm up
Photo: Reuters / Vincent West
Real Madrid head into tonight's game knowing that both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have lost today.
Kick-off at the Reale Arena is just over 10 minutes away!
Mbappé: Real Madrid convinced PSG star's signing is in the bag
With 27 days to go until Kylian Mbappé enters the final six months of his Paris Saint-Germain deal, at which point he can sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid, there is an atmosphere of absolute assurance at the Bernabéu.
Madrid are certain they’ve got the France striker in the bag. Evidence of Madrid’s confidence that Mbappé will arrive on a free transfer next summer is that all the club’s planning, both sporting and commercial, includes the 22-year-old.
Bale set for Madrid return
Gareth Bale is making excellent progress with his recovery and should be able to return to first team duties in the next few days - bringing to an end over three months on the sidelines.
The forward, who returned injured from international duty with Wales, completed part of Friday's training session with the rest of the squad - the final workout ahead of today's league meeting with Real Sociedad. He took part in light jogging and other drills with his team-mates before spending the remainder of the session doing ball work on his own.
Real Madrid | Team news
Visitors Real Madrid are over the worst of their injury woes with Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos back training and expected to return before Christmas. Bale has played just three games so far this season and Ceballos, none, so unsurprisingly, they are not included in Ancelotti’s travelling squad. Third-choice keeper Toni Fuidias has been recalled after not making the last three lists.
Real Sociedad | Team news
La Real will be without two of their key players – midfield pair David Silva and Mikel Merino picked up muscular injuries in the Europa League game against Monaco and have been left out of Imanol’s 22-man squad list.
Ander Guevara and Martin Zubimendi will be the ones tasked with engaging with Modric and Kroos in Donosti. Alexander Isak has been nursing a twisted ankle but he did come on for the final half hour against Espanyol and makes the matchday squad.
Real Madrid lead the way
Carlo Ancelotti’s team go into the game with La Real in fine form and with confidence sky high.
Having won their last five league matches and with just one defeat (away to Espanyol in Week 8) they have been relatively unchallenged compared to previous years and even though it's still early days, with just a third of the season gone, they already look unstoppable.
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid: times, TV and how to watch online
Leaders Real Madrid travel north to San Sebastián where they will face an in-form Real Sociedad who are currently fifth in the table.
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid live: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this LaLiga matchday 16 fixture as Real Sociedad host Real Madrid at the Reale Arena.
Kick-off is at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.