Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad summary: score, goals, highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 2023/24

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What did Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti say after his team’s LaLiga victory over Real Sociedad?

Following Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Sociead, Carlo Ancelotti discussed Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Joselu, Fede Valverde, tactics and more after Los Blancos leapfrogged Barcelona at the top.

"We know we need to avoid conceding early goals and falling behind early on" was very much the key message sent out to his players. 

Carlo Ancelotti's post-match comments on their way

Nothing just yet from Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who I was hoping we would've heard from by now. We'll have his post-match comments covered on AS USA and they'll be dropped in here once they are out there. 

Can Real Madrid keep grinding out wins?

I said before the game that Real Madrid had been sneaking past their opponentsrather than blowing them away. How long can they keep that up?

With the fixture schedule set to ramp up significantly in the next few weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his team can stop falling behind in games and start recording more comfortable victories. The chances are they won't keep getting away with it (even if they are called Real Madrid). 

Real Madrid defender Fran García: "Assisting two goals is the best feeling"

I think the work done in the second half was the key. We took the chances we had and won the three points, which is the most important thing.

Coming back home to the Bernabéu and being able to assist two goals in front of the fans is the best feeling.

More than work, it's about my teammates. I hope they are all lucky enough to be able to help the team.

Ancelotti asks us, the fullbacks, to help in attack by providing width and playing at our best.

It's an incredible, especially for people who have spent their entire lives here.

The Champions League is the competition that people enjoy, and we have to repay the fans' affection.

Champions League next on the agenda for Real Madrid and Real Sociedad

Both teams will now shift focus to the Champions League, with Los Blancos playing host to first-timers Union Berlin in Group C on Wednesday. 

La Real, meanwhile, are also at home, taking on last season's finalists Inter in Group D. 

Real Sociedad remain in the bottom half of LaLiga

This was Real Sociedad's first defeat of the season, yet they find themselves in the bottom half of the standings. Of course, the season is in its very early stages and they will undoubtedly climb the table if they perform as they did in the first half at the Bernabéu. 

Real Madrid move two points clear of Barcelona in LaLiga

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid's 100% winning start to the season means they find themselves top of the table,two points clear of arch rivals Barcelona, who were held to a draw in the opening game of their campaign by Getafe. They started 2022-23 in similar fashion before fading away, however, so they won't be getting too carried away. 

Real Madrid keep perfect record intact

They've done it the hard way once again, but Real Madrid have taken 15 points from 15 so far, and you can't any much better than that, can you?

Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad

Real Madrid make it five wins from five! Second-half goals from Valverde and Joselu see Los Blancos grind out another victory!

Alaba booked for holding Sadiq back. One last chance for La Real...

A little bit of pressure from Real Sociedad but Cho's cross is deflected into the arms of Kepa. That could be their last chance. 

Four minutes of added time. 

Bellingham denied by Remiro!

Bellingham wants to keep up his record of scoring in every game and he very nearly does!

Brahim skips away down the right and stands a perfect cross up to the back post, where the Englishman heads goalwards. Remiro gets down well to parry and the rebound is hacked away. 

What a goal that would've been!

Zakharyan floats a cross up to the back post for fellow sub Cho, who tries an ambitious first-time volley, which flies wide. 

Brahim Díaz and Lucas Vázquez on for Valverde and Rodrygo as Real Madrid look to run the clock down. 

Valverde nearly adds a third!

That was almost game over! Kroos picks out the run of Valverde, whose first-time shot deflects inches wide!

Until that chance, there had been absolutely nothing happening in attack for La Real, I can't emphasise that enough. They have made a triple change, which I think is the right decision, they need something to happen. Sadiq, Cho and Zakharyan all on, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea and Méndez go off. 

Rare chance for Real Sociedad!

That was the chance for the visitors! Méndez plays a great ball in behind Carvajal for Barrenetxea, whose touch allows Kepa to claw the ball away. It falls to Oyarzabal, who has hardly been involved in the game and won't want to see this one again, wildly slicing high and wide. 

We've not seen much of Bellingham today but he has a sight of goal here only to hit a daisycutter straight at Remiro (not that there are any daisies on the Bernabéu carpet). 

Traoré is next in the book for a foul on Rodrygo, which looked a tad harsh to me. 

A funny old game for Fran García, who has set up both of his team's goals but has had a pretty torrid time against Kubo. Nacho takes his place. 

Real Sociedad created lots of chances in the first half. They've created next to nothing in this second period. 

Kubo has been a bit quieter in this second half but he takes García for another ride here and is on the end of a rather crude challenge. Yellow for the left-back. 

Kroos close!

So close from Kroos, whose free-kick whistles inches past the angle of post and bar!

Before the free-kick is taken, Aihen comes on for Tierney. 

Merino the first Real Sociedad player in the book for taking down Bellingham on the edge of the box. This could be dangerous. 

Great cover from Zubimendi to nip a Real Madrid attack in the bud just when it looked as if Bellingham, who's been quiet, might get away. 

What a killer for Real Sociedad. You were 1-0 up, now you're 2-1 down and Modric is on to pass you to death. 

Goalscorer Joselu immediately substituted

What's your reward for scoring a crucial goal? Getting hooked. 

Joselu's last act of the game as he and Tchouaméni are replaced by Modric and Camavinga. 

Fran García is unchallenged on the left and hangs up an inviting cross to the back post, which Joselu expertly heads down into the bottom corner. You don't get much simpler than that. 

It looks as if Modric is about to come on, which will surely help Real Madrid keep the ball better, which they've been second best at so far.  

Real Sociedad's longest spells of possession have come in this second period, even though it's just a few minutes old. This latest passage of play looks certain to lead to a shot from Barrenetxea, who lines one up from the edge of the box but sees it closed down. 

Carvajal claims for a penalty

Carvajal has popped up in the opposition penalty box several times and thinks he should have a penalty for a foul by Le Normand. The match officials, however, don't agree. 

A great chance for Tierney to set Barrenetxea away down the left but he inexplicably tries a switch of play and loses the ball. An easy pass would've released the winger into space. 

In fairness to the Basques, they are still knocking the ball about well. Kubo tries to find space for a shot from the right but just overruns it and the chance has gone. 

That's a huge blow for Real Sociedad. Not even a minute of the second half had been played. 

We all know Real Madrid are capable of once they have the momentum in their favour. 

There aren't many players in world soccer who can hit a ball that hard with the side of their foot. What a strike!

García gets away down the left and picks out Valverde, who powerfully sidefoots the ball past Remiro at his near post!

What a start to the half!

Second half underway in Madrid!

Real Madrid get us going again. Same again, please!

Kubo instrumental for Real Sociedad against Real Madrid

Kubo is really doing his bit to show Real Madrid what they could've had. A superb pass for Barrenetxea for the only goal, while Merino really should have scored from another ball into the box from the Japanese. 

Bellingham picks up LaLiga player of the month trophy

It's not all bad news for Real Madrid, however, as Jude Bellingham picked up his LaLiga EA Sports player of the month award before kick off. The hosts could do with him finding his magic touch in front of goal in the second half. 

Real Madrid's slow starts in LaLiga

Los Blancos were caught cold by Almería and Getafe before the international break, now Real Sociedad have repeated the trick. An eyebrow-raising stat, it must be said. 

Half-time: Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad

A breathless first half, with both teams creating a number of opportunities to score. How we’ve only had one goal, I’m not quite sure.

The visitors flew out of the traps, with Kubo picked out Barrenetxea, whose first effort was parried by Kepa, only for the winger to score from the rebound.

Madrid responded well to the setback and immediately went in search of an equaliser, forcing Alex Remiro into a number of stops, with Rodrygo, Carvajal and Joselu all denied. The latter of the trio probably should have scored rather than hitting the bar, although it was far from being one-way traffic.

Kubo thought he had doubled his side’s lead only to be denied by an unfortunate offside flag, while Merino should have scored rather than head straight at Kepa.

A frantic 45 minutes, in which both sides could have scored three or four times. More of the same in the second period, please!

Barrenetxea and Kubo causing Real Madrid problems

Real Madrid could easily be 3-0 down in the game, although they could equally be two or three goals up. What a first half!

Half-time: Real Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad

Barrenetxea's early goal is the difference at the Bernabéu!

...which comes to nothing. 

Last chance coming for Real Sociedad from a free-kick...

It looked as if Real Madrid - and Fran García in particular - had wasted a golden crossing chance there but the left-back was flagged offside after failing to pick out Joselu all alone in the middle. 

Two extra minutes. 

Real Sociedad change tact a little for the final few minutes, sitting a little deeper in an attempt to make sure they don't give anything away before half time. 

Another lovely move from the visitors leads to a shooting chance for Barrenetxea, whose powerful effort takes a nick off Tchouaméni on its way over.

Real Sociedad are indebted to Remiro for making a number of saves but they've also played some really nice stuff and been very threatening themselves.

How we've only had one goal, I don't know!

Traoré skips away down the right and has two men to pick out in the middle but his cross flies off his boot and Barrenetxea can't get meaningful contact on it. 

Real Madrid and Rodrygo denied a penalty

Ooooooh. That was a close one. Rodrygo nips past Tierney, who sprints back to try and nick the ball back off the winger in the box. The Brazilian goes down but the referee says there's nothing doing. 

Absolutely anyone's guess as to which team scores the next goal in this game. 

Tchouaméni scored a brilliant goal for France the other day and his eyes lit up from the edge of the box there, but his strike was blocked by Zubimendi. 

Tchouaméni decides the only way to stop Kubo is by hacking him down (he may be right) and he gets a yellow card for his troubles. 

Kepa makes huge save from Merino!

That should be 2-0! It's Kubo again...

This time, he bides his time in the box and picks out the run of Merino, whose diving header is too central and allows Kepa to save. 

What a game this has been! 

Kubo goes close!

It's not all one-way traffic though. Kubo has got the bit between his teeth and again comes in from the right, forcing Kepa into making a low save. The rebound falls to Barrenetxea, who blazes wildly over!

Remiro saves again!

Alex Remiro has been a brick wall so far. Le Normand makes a mistake and allows Rodrygo to run in on goal, but the goalkeeper makes another fine stop to keep his team ahead!

Alaba and García are supposed to be playing in defence but try to combine inside the opposing penalty box, only to waste what looked to be a promising attack. 

Silky stuff from Valverde leads to a shooting chance for Bellingham but it's a tight angle and Remiro saves comfortably. 

Rüdiger volleys over!

What he was doing in the penalty box I'm not quite sure, but the German gets on the end of Tchouaméni's right-wing cross, only to fire well over. 

Excellent work from Bellingham, who chases what looked to be a hopeful clearance from Kepa and wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. 

A bit of respite for both defences and live bloggers as the frantic pace of play subsides a little. 

Impressively calm stuff at the back from Remiro and Real Sociedad, who play the ball out despite being under pressure. And they've still got it. 

Remiro saves from Joselu and Carvajal!

Well, you can't say Real Madrid aren't dangerous...

Joselu's angled strike is well kept out by Remiro, who does well to also keep out Carvajal's cross-cum-shot seconds later. 

HOW HAVE REAL MADRID NOT SCORED??

Unbelievable.

Carvajal wins the ball high up the field, lays it on a plate for Joselu, who chips it up against the bar. It falls back to Carvajal, who crosses to the back post, where Rodrygo acrobatically volleys well, well wide. 

End-to-end stuff as García finds space on the left and crosses for Joselu, who is beaten to the ball by Zubeldia at the near post. 

Inches wide from Méndez

And another huge left off! From an almost identical position, Méndez looks to find the same corner but fires just wide of the post!

KUBO SCORES...OFFSIDE!

Oh my word. Kubo scored what looks to be a brilliant goal, cutting in from the right and finding the far corner, only for the ball to take the tiniest of nicks off of Oyarzabal, who is offside. A huge let off for Madrid!

Plenty of promise from Madrid despite their poor start. Rodrygo drifts inside from the left this time and shoots from the edge of the box, only for it to be blocked before it troubles Merino. 

Rodrygo tests Remiro!

Almost an immediate response from the hosts as Rodrygo tests Remiro from a tight angle out on the left!

What a start! Kubo picks a superb pass through the heart of the Madrid defence to Barrenetxea, whose first effort is saved by Kepa. It falls back to him though and he bundles it over the line from close range!

Remiro saves from Alaba!

First chance for Madrid! Alaba storms forward from defence, exchanges passes with Bellingham and is alone in front of goal, only to be denied by a superb stop from Remiro!

Ah...offside anyway. 

Good pressing from Real Sociedad allows them to win a throw in high up the field. A sign of things to come?

Rodrygo looks to be starting in Vini's usual spot out on the left, which we've been told is actually his favoured position. 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad underway!

Off we go! Real Sociedad get us started!

A minute's silence

A minute's silence is being observed for victims of the recent natural disasters in Morocco and Libya. 

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: the scene is set

If you've never been to the Bernabéu, I highly suggest you get along at some point. Spectacular. 

"Hala Madrid" rings round the Bernabéu

Club anthems are a big deal in Spanish soccer, and "Hala Madrid" is one of the most - if not the most - iconic ones. Spine tingling stuff. 

Real Sociedad team to play Real Madrid

4-4-2 for La Real by the looks of things, with Kubo and Oyarzabal given licence to float around in attack. 

Remiro; Traoré, Zubelida, Le Normand, Tierney; Méndez, Zubimendi, Merino, Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal.

Portuguese striker Andre Silva is the main absentee. 

Real Madrid team to play Real Sociead

No Vinícius, Courtois or Militão for Real Madrid, with the latter two set to miss most of the season. Here's how Los Blancos line up for this one:

Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, García; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouaméni; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo. 

Real Sociedad protecting unbeaten record in Madrid

I don't want anyone to call me biased, so here's Real Sociedad getting ready to go (peak pre-match content, I told you). 

Around 10 minutes until kick-off!

Real Madrid warming up at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

This is peak pre-match social media content. Want to see the Real Madrid players jogging out to start their warm-up? Of course you do. Well, you're in luck!

LALIGA EA SPORTS

Barcelona vs Betis, summary: Cancelo, Felix, score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports 23/24

Just in case you missed it yesterday, Barcelona absolutely took Real Betis apart in Montjuic, running out 5-0 winners. That's four wins on the spin for Xavi Hernández's side, who are starting to hit top gear, with their summer signings fitting in nicely. 

Joe watched that one and this is what went down in Catalonia. 

Real Madrid trail Barcelona at the top of LaLiga

Even though they've won every game, Real Madrid are actually in second spot in the standings behind Barcelona. The Catalans, however, have played a game more than their rivals, which means Los Blancos will go back to the top of the table with a victory over Real Sociedad. 

How have Real Sociedad started the 2023-24 LaLiga season?

While Real Sociedad's start to the season hasn't been as impressive as Real Madrid's, the Basque side are also unbeaten. However, they drew their opening three fixtures (at home to Girona and Celta, away to Las Palmas) and posted their first victory against Granada, winning an eight-goal thriller 5-3.

Despite having not lost a game, they are in the bottom half of the table, although a famous win at the Bernabéu would see them move up to joint fifth spot. 

How have Real Madrid started the 2023-24 LaLiga season?

I mentioned earlier that Real Madrid had started the new season in perfect fashion. Could we also say they've started the season in true Real Madrid fashion?

The 2-0 win at Athletic on the opening weekend has arguably been their most impressive performance, as they rather ground out subsequent victories over Almería, Celta and Getafe rather than by blowing any of them away. Los Blancos have long been known for their ability to emerge triumphant without playing superbly well and that has been no different in the early weeks of the campaign. 

Jude Bellingham has fit in perfectly in that sense, scoring five goals from eight attempts on goal. Ruthless. 

Real Sociedad make their Bernabéu entrance

Real Sociedad have also arrived at the Bernabéu (just as well) and their players have entered the scene in true "elite soccer team" fashion by refusing to speak to one another. These things have got to be done properly, after all.

REAL MADRID

Rodrygo set to be given more creative freedom by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti

Rodrygo scored on the opening weekend of the season against Athletic Club but hasn't found the net since, which hasn't been an issue for Real Madrid given Bellingham's superb scoring run. But with compatriot Vinícius out injured, the Brazilian will be expected to step up to the plate and may be asked to play a slightly different role by Carlo Ancelotti. 

Sergio and Joe investigate just what that might entail. 

Hey Jude!

Real Madrid and their man-of-the-moment Jude Bellingham are in the house! Nacho has already got his hands on that Champions League trophy, which the Englishman will be desperate to do before too long. 

Take Kubo: Real Sociedad's own Jude Bellingham

Japanese star Take Kubo signed for Real Madrid in 2019 but didn't play a single game for Los Blancos, spending time on loan at Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe before joining Real Sociedad last year. 

Kubo now assumes the role of the Basque side's main star, a very different position from his time in Madrid. The winger had mixed success on loan, and has finally found his place at Real Sociedad. He stated, “I saw it as my last chance. I had it in my mind that it was the final opportunity to make the big leap that is expected of me.”

Manager Imanol Alguacil has played a significant role in his transformation, and Kubo remarked, “He always reminds me that I don’t have a guaranteed spot, and he urges me to keep pushing and not get complacent".

Kubo, of course, is a completely different player to Bellingham but has been equally as important for his team this season, scoring four times in four games. 

Real Sociedad team to play Real Madrid

Real Sociedad have named their line-up to face Real Madrid (thanks for the teeny, tiny letters, guys):

Remiro; Traoré, Zubelida, Le Normand, Tierney; Méndez, Zubimendi, Merino, Barrenetxea; Kubo, Oyarzabal.

In fairness, they have laid the eleven out in the formation they will use, which always helps. 

Dani Ceballos returns to Real Madrid bench vs Real Sociedad

One piece of good news for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is that Dani Ceballos has recovered from his fitness issues. However, Los Blancos are incredibly well stacked in midfield, with the former Betis man now likely to be seventh choice to play from the start (behind Kroos, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Modric, Camavinga and Bellingham). 

Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão long-term absentees for Real Madrid

Of course, it's not just Vinícius who is out of action for Real Madrid. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and central defender Eder Militão, two of the first names on the team sheet, incredibly suffered ACL tears within days of each other in August and could miss the whole season We have yet to see Turkish wonderkid Arda Güler because of a knee problem, while left-back Ferland Mendy is closing in on a return but isn't quite ready to play yet. 

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid’s squad depth is set to be tested to the full with a tight upcoming schedule

The Champions League begins on Wednesday, which is great news for us fans but means participating clubs are set for a gruelling schedule between now and Christmas. Real Madrid haven't been helped by the fact they have a number of injuries to contend with, and they now have a run of seven games coming up in the next 21 or 22 days, which makes Vinícius' absence all the harder to take. 

Here are Manu and Joe with the details on who they'll face and when. 

How long will Vinícius Júnior be out for?

Vinícius Júnior has arguably been Real Madrid's most dangerous attacking player over the last few years, although he has been overshadowed by Jude Bellingham in the first few weeks of this season. That said, Carlo Ancelotti would absolutely not want to have lost the Brazilian winger, especially with Los Blancos relatively light in attack. 

The bad news is that Vinícius is likely to be absent for at least another few weeks, which is a bit of an issue with games starting to come thick and fast as a result of the Champions League getting underway (more on that in a second). 

Real Madrid team to play Real Sociedad: no Vinícius Júnior

As expected, Real Madrid have gone incredibly early with their starting line-up, which is:

Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, García; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouaméni; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo. 

Also as expected, there is no Vinícius Júnior in the team due to injury, which is a considerable blow. 

LALIGA

Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | LaLiga

Before we get down to business, you may still be looking for a way to watch today's game. If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and here are the details! Just be sure to stick with me too!

Watch Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

What time does Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad kick-off?

The clash at in the Spanish capital gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which makes it 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT. A pre- or post-lunch LaLiga treat, depending on where you are.

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Real Sociedad next to try to stop Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham arrived at Real Madrid to much fanfare in the summer. He scored on his debut in pre-season and in his first competitive appearance against Athletic Club. He then bagged a brace against Almería and netted late winners against Celta and Getafe, that latter strike coming on his Bernabéu debut. For good measure, Bellingham then also scored for England against Scotland in midweek. 

Real Madrid is the Jude Bellingham show at the moment. Can Real Sociedad stop him?

Hello and welcome to Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad!

Matchday five of LaLiga 2023-24 is about to come to a close and it’s about to come to a close with a bang!

Real Madrid put their perfect start to the new season on the line in a tricky-looking home clash against Real Sociedad, who will, of course, be lining up alongside their somewhat more illustrious opponents in the Champions League this season. 

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one, which should be an absolute cracker!