Atletico Madrid welcomed Real Sociedad to the Spanish capital on Sunday looking to regain second position in the table, which had earlier been claimed by rivals Real Madrid.
The first period was a slight non-event, but the home side did look the team more capable of opening the scoring on a mild evening in Madrid.
It was Sociedad that took the lead early in the second half, however, when Xabi Prieto fired through the legs of the goalkeeper.
Atletico created a host of chances in the second period, but could not make the breakthrough as their perfect home record this season came to an end.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final match of the weekend comes from the Spanish capital as Atletico welcome Real Sociedad in arguably the tie of the week. The home side will attempt to continue their perfect home form this season (13 wins from 13 matches), but Sociedad have emerged as serious challengers for fourth in the second part of the season.
Atletico have dropped out of second position in the table due to Real’s win over Celta Vigo, which makes this match all the more important. But they will enter the match full of confidence having scored 34 goals and conceded just six times on their own patch this season. They also have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just 23 times.
Sociedad, however, have been the real surprise package this season. They have taken 12 points from their last six matches to move into sixth position in the table. Should they win this evening, they would move into fourth position with 11 matches remaining. Their away form, meanwhile, has been strong this season with four wins from 12 matches.
TEAMS:
ATLETICO: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis; Gabi, Turan, Rodriguez, Koke; Falcao, Costa
SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Mikel, De la Bella, C Martinez, I Martinez; Prieto, Illara, Zurutuza, Bergara; Vela, Griezmann
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. No real surprises in the Atletico team with Falcao and Costa paired in attack, but there is no place for Raul Garcia, who starts on the bench. Sociedad, meanwhile, once more continue with Griezmann and Vela in the final third. The away side get the action underway.
Fascinating clash this evening with both of these sides in a fine run of form. Atletico have a perfect record on their own patch this season, but face a real test this evening. Not too much to report inside the opening couple of minutes with both teams just attempting to find their way into the match.
Half-chance for the home side as Costa collects possession down the left before firing a low cross into the box, but there are no takers, with the ball moving out for a goal kick. The pressure continues as Turan darts into the box, but Mikel is across to clear. High-tempo start to this match.
Sociedad lost six of their first 10 matches in the league, which is quite extraordinary when you look at their league position. There is no doubt that they will be confident of causing an upset this evening. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Turan strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always rising over the crossbar.
Another half-chance comes to the home side as Turan whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but Carlos Martinez is on hand to clear the danger. There did used to be a criticism that Sociedad were soft away from home, but that is not the case at the moment. They have made a positive start in the opening eight minutes of this match.
Koke is next to try his luck for the home side, but he thumps his effort over the crossbar. Madrid's win over Celta Vigo has moved the capital outfit into second, which will act as motivation for Atletico this evening. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Rodriguez strikes from distance, but his effort is high and wide.
Sociedad finally create a chance of their own as Illarra whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Courtois comes out to clear the danger. Eventually Turan collects possession in a wide area before finding Falcao in the box, but Inigo Martinez rises to produce a fine header. Enthralling opening 12 minutes to this La Liga contest.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Falcao meets a bouncing ball in the penalty area, but Bergara just gets across to clear off the line. Wonderful defending from the Spaniard. Atletico have certainly been the better side in the early stages of this match.
It's brilliant work from Costa as the Brazilian dances past two players on the edge of the box, but Mikel is across to fell the Atletico attacker. The resulting free kick is taken by Turan, but his effort smashes into the wall before he strikes the rebound wide of the post.
Atletico continue to dominate the possession in the early stages of this match with Turan the star man on display. It has been difficult for Vela and Griezmann to get into the match for the away side, however, with much of Sociedad's time spent defending. But they are more than capable of hitting Atletico on the counter.
It's good work from Vela as the former Arsenal striker darts past two defenders before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it deflects behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is also taken by the Mexican, but Miranda is on hand to clear.
Better from Sociedad in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession, but the first is tipped over the crossbar before Courtois comes to claim the second. Xabi Prieto meets a cross from Vela moments later, but his header was always moving wide of the post.
Half-chance on the break for the home side as Costa combines with Falcao before running behind the Sociedad defence, but the linesman raises his flag, stopping the Brazilian in his tracks. You just get the feeling that he will have some sort of influence on this match. Whether that be good or bad.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments with Sociedad enjoying more of the possession. Neither goalkeeper has really been called into question, but there have been plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening. Very even contest with 26 minutes on the clock.
Atletico force the issue with a couple of set pieces in quick succession, but the danger is cleared before Zurutuza hits the deck under a challenge with Turan. There is a strange atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. It is the type of match that needs a goal in order to liven everyone up.
Sociedad create a half-chance on the counter as Vela spots Griezmann at the far post, but the Frenchman can only fire his effort straight at the goalkeeper from close range. Courtois starts a counter for his side, but it breaks down in the final third. Little under 15 minutes of the half remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Turan collects a bouncing ball before striking an effort towards goal, but it just moved wide of the post. He has looked the most likely to open the scoring this evening. Sociedad live to fight another day.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments, but it is the away supporters that are making most of the noise inside the stadium. The home support have been surprisingly quiet, despite their team enjoying the best of the first period. Courtois has now gone 800 minutes of football since conceding in this stadium. Just stunning.
Atletico continue to force the issue with a spell of possession in the Sociedad half, but there has been no real chances in the last 10 minutes or so. It would be unfair to call it a dull period, but it is a case of possession football rather than attacking football in the latter stages of this half.
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Turan is the latest player to have his name taken for a poor challenge on Illarra. The resulting free kick is taken by Inigo Martinez, but Courtois comes out to claim the danger. I would like to see Sociedad open up a bit in the second period, there are goals in this for them.
Good spell for Vela as the Sociedad winger wins a corner, before gaining a free kick just outside the penalty area. Turan is a lucky man as he gets away with just a caution. The resulting set piece is taken by Inigo Martinez, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Slightly untidy period in the latter stages of the half with the referee called into action to deal with a number of late challenges. Turan again gets away with another tackle as he steams into Bergara. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of added time.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 0-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. The home team have certainly enjoyed the better of the chances, but neither goalkeeper has been too overworked in the opening 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: The home side have just about shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had six attempts to Sociedad's three. However, both teams have managed just one shot on target, which is an indication of the lack of clear opportunities that have arrived.
BENCH WATCH: Atletico have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Adrian Lopez, Raul Garcia and Oliver Torres. Meanwhile, Sociedad have the likes of Dani Estrada and Ruben Pardo in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list.
As it stands, Atletico would remain in third position, but level on points with second-placed Real Madrid. Sociedad, meanwhile, would remain in sixth position, just two points off the top four. There is much to play for in the second period. A goal either way would have a huge effect on the league table.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising at this stage of events. The home side get the second half underway on this mild evening in the Spanish capital. Will we see a goal in the Vicente Calderon?
Decent start from the home side as Turan fires a dangerous cross into the penalty area, it falls for Costa, but his effort is blocked by Carlos Martinez. I suspect that Diego Simeone had a few words to say to his players at the interval. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
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One-way traffic in the early stages of this half as Juanfran comes forward from defence before firing a low cross into the box, but Bravo comes out to collect the danger. Sociedad attempt to create something on the counter, but Griezmann is immediately surrounded by two defenders.
It's wonderful feet from Rodriguez as the Atletico midfielder collects possession on the left before darting into the penalty area, but his low cross into Costa is cut out by Mikel. Sociedad just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, but you have to admire their defensive work.
A lot of people had branded Sociedad a 'soft' side at the beginning of the season, well I think that they have repelled that criticism. They are more than holding their own against a team that has a perfect record in this stadium this season. But there is still more than 35 minutes of football remaining.
GOAL! Atletico Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad (Prieto)
Sociedad lead! Hint of offside as Prieto collects a pass from Vela before thumping his effort through the legs of the goalkeeper. That is the first goal that Atletico have conceded in this stadium in 2013. Wow. Can they respond?
The home side had come close to opening the scoring moments later when Costa darted into the box, but his effort just moved wide of the post. Godin attempts to level as he meets a free kick from Koke, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Real shock on the cards here.
Another chance comes and goes for the home side as Rodriguez collects possession from Costa, but he smashes his effort wide of the post. It just has to be better from that angle. The home supporters have just woken up in the last couple of minutes. Atletico will need their support in the final 30 minutes of this match.
Still no movement on the Atletico bench, although I expect that will change in the next 10 minutes or so. The match is so perfectly set up for Sociedad with their ability on the counter. Do not back against them scoring a second this evening. What an incredible result it would be. But there is still a lot of football to be played.
It gets worse for the home side with Godin picking up a yellow card, which will rule him out of the match next week. Griezmann has a half-chance from the resulting free kick, but he can only turn his effort wide of the post from close range. Atletico really need their top players to step forward in the latter stages of this match.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side as Falcao meets a cross from Koke, but Bravo just does enough to clear the danger among a host of bodies. Miranda was in there, but the Brazilian could not force it over the line. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Madrid.
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As it stands, Sociedad would move level on points with fourth-placed Malaga. A quite stunning achievement for a club of this size. Atletico will have something to say about that, however, as they continue to force the issue on the counter. Falcao has been really quiet this evening, but you sense that he will get his chance in the latter stages.
The home side make their first change of the match as Raul Garcia replaces Rodriguez. That does not say too much for Adrian Lopez, who has really struggled for Atletico this season. Costa has moved onto the left of the attack, with Turan coming inside. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Sociedad make their first change of the match as Dani Estrada replaces Zurutuza. A defender for a midfielder. That is an indication of how Sociedad will play the final stages of this match. This really would send shockwaves around La Liga should Sociedad record all three points. Atletico have won all 13 of their home matches this season. Koke comes close to a leveller as he strikes from distance, but it was always bending away.
Atletico make their second change of the match as Adrian replaces Koke for the final 15 minutes of this match. I think Atletico would accept a point at this stage of proceedings. It would keep them in touching distance of second-placed Real Madrid. You just get the feeling that there will be late drama here.
Falcao goes alone for the home side as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving over the crossbar. You can really sense the nervousness inside the stadium at the moment as Atletico continue to give away poor free kicks. You have to praise Sociedad for their performance this evening.
Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the Sociedad penalty area, but there is such an impressive shape about the away side this evening. It is almost a year since Atletico last lost in this stadium, against capital rivals Real Madrid. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Sociedad threaten on the counter as Vela takes control of a loose pass before finding Prieto, but the Spaniard just cannot find a return pass with Miranda on hand to clear the danger. Luis fires a dangerous cross into the box down the other end, but Bravo comes out to collect.
Sociedad make their second change of the match as Agirretxe replaces Vela for the final eight minutes or so. The Mexican has had another productive evening for his team. Can Atletico force something in the latter stages? Time is certainly not on their side at the moment.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Sociedad comfortable in dealing with the danger. Slight bit of ill-feeling as Godin dives into a challenge with Illara, but there was not a great deal in it. The referee has been very composed this evening.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Garcia rises unmarked in the penalty area, but he can only head his effort wide of the target. What a chance to level the scores. Little under five minutes of football remaining in Madrid.
It just isn't going Atletico's way at the moment as they continue to concede free kicks in their own half. Costa picks up a yellow card for a stamp on Prieto, it should have been red. Really poor from the Brazilian striker. Sociedad are on the brink of a stunning win.
Half-chance for Turan as the Turkish international darts into the box before striking towards the top corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
The away side make their third change of the match as Illarra is replaced by Ansotegi. Not too much to report in the final stages, with each Atletico attack coming to a quick end. Sociedad deserve the win this evening. Or have I spoke too soon? Little over a minute of football remaining.
FULL-TIME: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Real Sociedad
Stunning result for Sociedad as they end Atletico's winning record at the Vicente Calderon. The home side remain in third position in the table, while Sociedad move into fifth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
