Real Sociedad 2-0 Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti's side left 14 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after loss
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ByEurosport
Updated 02/05/2023 at 22:32 GMT
The La Liga title is almost Barcelona's after Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 by Real Sociedad, who strengthened their grip on fourth place with the result. Madrid are now 14 points behind leaders Barcelona with just five games of the season left to play. Carlo Ancelotti's side will be looking for success in the Champions League, where they face Manchester City in the semi-finals.
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Real Sociedad took a big step towards Champions League qualification thanks to a superb 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
Real Madrid had their first big chance after nine minutes when Eder Militao rose highest to power a header towards goal but Alex Remiro was able to react quickly and tip it over.
Just five minutes later Real Sociedad came within inches of taking the lead when Martin Zubimendi struck the crossbar from point-blank range.
La Real had another huge chance to take the lead in the 19th minute, Alexander Sorloth burst down the right-hand side past Antonio Rudiger and into the box before pulling the ball back for David Silva who could only fire an effort straight at Thibaut Courtois.
Real Sociedad took the lead just two minutes into the second half thanks to some poor play at the back from Real Madrid. La Real pressed high and Militao fired a pass back to Courtois which he couldn't reach and Takefusa Kubo was on hand to fire home against his former club.
Real Madrid's night went from bad to worse on the hour mark when Dani Carvajal was shown a second yellow card for a foul just seven minutes after picking up a needless yellow card for dissent.
Imanol Alguacil's side made sure of all three points five minutes from time when Ander Barrenetxea cut inside before rifling an effort past Courtois to make it 2-0.
The result leaves Real Madrid 14 points behind leaders Barcelona with five games of the season remaining while fourth-placed Sociedad have an eight-point cushion over Villarreal, having played a game more.
TALKING POINT - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAMING
Real Sociedad took a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2013/14. La Real headed into this match in fourth place on 58 points and what looked like a healthy five points ahead of Villarreal. However, the gap looked a lot less secure before tonight's match considering three of Real Sociedad's last six La Liga fixtures were against FC Barcelona, Real Madrid Atletico Madrid - La Liga's top three.
This win was a fantastic step towards achieving their goal of returning to Europe's elite and it could be a result that is key to them reaching their target. They now have an eight-point gap over Villarreal meaning they can probably afford to slip up against either Atletico or Barcelona - provided they continue to pick up points in the games against those outside of the top six. A fantastic result and one that was well deserved.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - DAVID SILVA (REAL SOCIEDAD)
The 37-year-old wizard was simply magnificent tonight for La Real. He was involved in almost everything that his side did well, his passing was crisp and accurate, he switched the play brilliantly and was all over the pitch all evening. He played three key passes, made five tackles, provided the assist for Barrenetxea's goal and lost possession just four times all evening. His performance was truly a joy to watch.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Sociedad: Remiro 8, Gorosabel 6, Zubeldia 7, Le Normand 7, Munoz 6, Merino 7, Zubimendi 7, David Silva 9, Kubo, 8 Sorloth 7, Oyarzabal 7
Subs: Barrenetxea 7, Pacheco 7, Elustondo 6, Fernandez 6, Illaramendi N/A
Real Madrid: Courtois 6, Nacho 7, Rudiger 6, Militao 6, Carvajal 5, Ceballos 6, Tchouameni 7, Kroos 7, Rodrygo 7, Diaz 6, Asensio 6
Subs: Rodriguez 6, Vazquez 6, Arribas 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
9' TIPPED OVER THE BAR! - Eder Militao rises highest to power a header on goal but Alex Remiro tips it over for another corner.
15' OFF THE BAR! - Real Madrid escape! The corner is whipped in and Zubimendi diverts his effort onto the crossbar when it looked much easier to score. That is a huge let-off for Real Madrid.
19' A BIG CHANCE MISSED! - Sorloth bursts down the left-hand side past Rudiger into the box but instead of shooting he opts to lay it off for Silva and his effort is saved by Courtois.
47' GOAL - REAL SOCIEDAD - Kubo has scored the opener against his former club! Real Sociedad press as Real Madrid try to play it around the back and Militao plays a heavy pass which Courtois can't reach and Kubo is on hand to fire into the back of the net.
85' GOAL - REAL SOCIEDAD - La Real have surely wrapped up all three points! A brilliant goal from Barrenetxea who cuts inside before firing an effort to Courtois' near post.
KEY STAT
Atletico Madrid are just two points behind their city rivals Real Madrid with a game in hand.
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