Real Madrid came from behind to extend their 100% start to the season to five games with a 2-1 win against Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Former Newcastle and Stoke striker Joselu was their unlikely hero, rising at the far post to head home Fran Garcia’s cross on the hour.
After netting five times in his first four games for his new club, Jude Bellingham’s phenomenal scoring run came to an end.
Bellingham’s best chance came in stoppage time as he rose to meet Brahim Diaz’s cross only for Alex Ramiro to make an excellent save.
However, the England man was pivotal in Real Madrid clawing their way back into the game after they had suffered the shock of conceding in the fifth minute.
On-loan Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga couldn’t keep out Ander Barrenetxea’s second effort after he had pushed the first back to the visiting forward.
Sociedad had gone 46 league matches without defeat since they last lost after leading at the break, but once Federico Valverde had levelled with a powerful shot from the edge of the area a minute after the resumption, it was always likely to be an uphill battle to preserve that record.
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The visitors did have chances to extend their lead in an open contest as Barrenetxea blazed over after Kepa had pushed another rebound straight to him and then saw the Spain international keep another effort out with a full-length save.
But once Real Madrid got themselves in front, they never looked likely to surrender their advantage.
The result maintains Real Madrid’s two-point advantage over arch-rivals Barcelona at the top of the table as they get ready to begin their quest for a 15th Champions League crown against German challengers Union Berlin on Wednesday.
Real Sociedad, who were suffering their first defeat of the season, are also in action on Wednesday when they entertain last season’s runners-up Inter Milan.
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
2Carvajal Ramos22Rüdiger4Alaba20García Torres
18Tchouaméni
15Valverde8Kroos
5Bellingham
11Rodrygo14Joselu
25Arrizabalaga Revuelta2Carvajal Ramos22Rüdiger4AlabaBooked at 90mins20García TorresBooked at 71minsSubstituted forNachoat 74’minutes18TchouaméniBooked at 33minsSubstituted forModricat 62’minutes15ValverdeSubstituted forVázquezat 87’minutes8Kroos5Bellingham11RodrygoSubstituted forDíazat 87’minutes14JoseluSubstituted forCamavingaat 62’minutesSubstitutes6Nacho10Modric12Camavinga13Lunin17Vázquez19Ceballos21Díaz31Cañizares32Paz33García
Real Sociedad
Formation 4-3-3
1Remiro
18Traoré5Zubeldia24Le Normand17Tierney
23Méndez4Zubimendi8Merino
14Kubo10Oyarzabal7Barrenetxea
1Remiro18TraoréBooked at 77mins5Zubeldia24Le Normand17TierneySubstituted forMuñozat 69’minutes23MéndezSubstituted forZakharyanat 81’minutes4Zubimendi8MerinoBooked at 68mins14Kubo10OyarzabalSubstituted forSadiqat 81’minutes7BarrenetxeaSubstituted forChoat 81’minutesSubstitutes2Odriozola3Muñoz9Fernández11Cho12Zakharyan16Olasagasti19Sadiq20Pacheco22Turrientes26González32Marrero37Fraga
Referee:César Soto Grado
Attendance:70,092
Live Text
Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Real Sociedad 1.
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Real Sociedad 1.
Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Mohamed-Ali Cho (Real Sociedad).
David Alaba (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by David Alaba (Real Madrid).
Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Mohamed-Ali Cho.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Hamari Traoré.
Attempt saved. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Brahim Díaz with a cross.
Attempt missed. Mohamed-Ali Cho (Real Sociedad) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Arsen Zakharyan with a cross.
Foul by Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid).
Mohamed-Ali Cho (Real Sociedad) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Lucas Vázquez replaces Federico Valverde.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Brahim Díaz replaces Rodrygo.
Attempt saved. Aihen Muñoz (Real Sociedad) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Attempt missed. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Aihen Muñoz.
Attempt blocked. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
Attempt missed. Umar Sadiq (Real Sociedad) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Takefusa Kubo with a cross following a corner.
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