Real Sociedad ended a turbulent week of football with a fantastic spirited fightback to come from 2-0 down to stun Real Madrid. Having lost their opening league game to local rivals SD Eibar last weekend, before crashing out of the Europa League after a hugely disappointing 3-0 reverse at FC Krasnodar on Thursday, Sociedad needed to pull off a massive upset to get their season truly underway, but they didn't get off to the best of starts.
Within the first three minutes, Sociedad had been trapped in their own half by the Real Madrid midfielders, and the early dominance of Los Blancos paid off just five minutes in. After Madrid won a corner, the ball was floated towards an unmarked Sergio Ramos, whose bullet header flew past Eñaut Zubikarai to put them a goal up.
That lead was doubled just six minutes later. After a run from Luka Modric ended with a pass to Gareth Bale, the Welshman, entering his second season with Real, nutmegged a Sociedad defender and left another for dead, before his shot left Zubikarai stranded. It could have been more comfortable even earlier, though Sergio Ramos crashed a costless-kick off the bar.
By the 30-minute mark, Real Madrid should've been running away with the game, and could've had a scoreline close to double figures. Sociedad looked totally disinterested in the game, and made little attempt to create chances of their own. Sergio Ramos could've had three or four, heading another corner over the bar in a move almost identical to the opening goal.
Ramos went from goalscorer to saviour in defence minutes after missing the chance from the corner. Esteban Granero had the ball fall perfectly in front of him, with just Casillas to beat, but the centre-back threw his body in front of the shot to prevent a Sociedad goal.
He was helpless from a corner, however, as were the whole of the Real Madrid side. Xabi Prieto flicked a corner towards the near post, where Iñigo Martínez was unmarked to sidefoot the ball home from three yards, bringing Sociedad undeservedly back into the game. Los Blancos would be left to rue their missed chances, as, with four minutes left before half-time, Sociedad grabbed an unlikely equaliser. Full-back Alberto de la Bella thumped in a cross from the left flank, and David Zurutuza headed the ball home.
Half-time - Real Sociedad 2-2 Real Madrid
After their incredible first-half fightback, Sociedad showed no signs of slowing down, and were showing the signs of dominance that saw Real Madrid score two early goals. Imanol Agirrexte had the earliest opportunity in the half, with the toe of Iker Casillas sending his header from point-blank range out for a corner.
The action died down a little after the introduction of Sergio Canales and Carlos Vela for Real Sociedad, Canales against his former club. It was another midfielder in the form of David Zurutuza who put Sociedad in front, tapping the ball home from inside the six yard box to complete the outstanding fightback.
Sociedad weren't done there, however. Considering they looked down and out by the 12th minute and could've been down by more than two by that stage, they certainly didn't let it show in the second half. More chances fell their way as Real Madrid began to struggle, and Sociedad eventually made their dominance count for more by scoring a fourth and sealing the victory. Carlos Vela was on hand to capitalise on a weak clearance to smash the ball home from close range.
Karim Benzema had a chance to reduce the deficit in added time, but struck the post. Real Madrid, in their first game since selling Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso, were shocked by Sociedad in what was a topsy-turvy week for the Basque side. Up next for La Real is Celta Vigo away, whilst Real Madrid face fierce rivals Atlético Madrid at the Bernabéu.
