Real Madrid welcomed Real Sociedad to the Spanish capital on Sunday looking to put a disappointing end to 2013 behind them.
They made the best possible start when Karim Benzema found the back of the net early on, but they were reduced to 10 men moments later when Adan was dismissed for a foul on Carlos Vela, with Xabi Prieto equalising from the penalty spot.
Madrid were back ahead after 35 minutes when Sami Khedira converted from close range, but another Prieto strike levelled the scores before the interval.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Madrid back ahead just past the hour mark, however, and he added his second moments later to send his side 4-2 ahead.
The action was not finished there as Prieto added his third for the away side moments later, but it was not enough to earn Sociedad a share of the spoils.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Afternoon all! Our La Liga coverage on Sunday gets underway as Real Madrid welcome an improving Real Sociedad outfit to the Spanish capital. First and foremost I can indeed tell you that Iker Casillas is once more on the bench this afternoon. He was left out against Malaga in the club’s last league clash, but it backfired as they were beaten 3-2. Full team news to follow.
TEAMS:
REAL MADRID: Adan; Essien, Varane, Carvalho, Arbeloa; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
REAL SOCIEDAD: Bravo; Estrada, Gonzalez, Martinez, De la Bella; Illarramendi, Pardo; Vela, Prieto, Griezmann; Ifran
So there we have it. No Sergio Ramos this evening. Cristiano Ronaldo will skipper Madrid. However, there is some good news with Karim Benzema returning to lead the line. Sociedad, meanwhile, have all their big guns available with Carlos Vela and Diego Ifran starting in attack.
There is always something at Madrid. If it isn’t the future of Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo – who could both leave at the end of the season – then it is the untimely withdrawal of Casillas from the position he has held for so long. Even the most ardent Madrid fan would admit that the title is gone, but they simply have to finish above Atletico.
Under all of the struggles and politics, there is some team at Madrid. They have one of the best players in the world leading their attack and boast a midfield that is the envy of every team in world football. However, they have lost two of their last three matches in all competitions, winning none. There are certainly problems at the club.
They also have a Champions League double-header against Manchester United to prepare for. At the start of the season you would have placed Madrid as the strong favourites to advance to the next stage, but United are on fire at the moment with their seven-point lead at the top of the table and elimination in Europe would leave the Copa del Rey as their only realistic option of a trophy.
Ronaldo has also come under criticism from the club’s fans this season. There have been strong rumours that he is keen to return to United. However, whether a financial package could be agreed is another point entirely. Just a quick note – it has been said that Ronaldo has underperformed in the league, but he has 14 goals in 17 games. That is the level that Lionel Messi – who has 26 – has created.
In their way this evening is a Sociedad side that has found some serious form in recent weeks. They were victorious over Sevilla last time out and also thumped Valencia 5-2 at the Mestalla at the beginning of November. They would certainly be happy with a mid-table finish, but they currently sit just six points off the top four.
Philippe Montanier’s side are also the sort of opposition that you don’t particularly want to face when you are going through a tough time. It is difficult to see anything other than a Madrid win this evening, but another headline-grabbing result would put yet more pressure on Mourinho. I think it is a given that he will leave at the end of the season, but he will certainly not want to go out this way.
Despite Madrid’s troubles, they conceded the fewest number of La Liga goals in 2012, shipping just 34. Meanwhile, they are on a 20-match unbeaten run in La Liga on their home patch. Sociedad may have lost their last seven encounters against Madrid, but the Basque outfit are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions. We are just about two minutes from kickoff.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just a reminder of the main team news. There is no Sergio Ramos, Pepe or Iker Casillas for Madrid, but Karim Benzema does return. Meanwhile, Carlos Vela starts for the away side alongside Diego Ifran. Sociedad get the action underway.
Madrid are without five first-team defenders this evening. Quite incredible. It is certainly a patched up side, but you would expect them to pick up all three points at home. However, it has been a strong start from the away side with Ruben Pardo and Xabi Prieto enjoying early spells of possession.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad (Benzema)
Well that certainly did not take long. It's wonderful from Khedira as the German picks up possession before finding the run of Benzema, the striker gathers before passing past the onrushing Bravo. The Sociedad defence just stood still and watched.
Madrid go in search of their second as Alonso finds the run of Callejon behind the Sociedad defence, but this time the offside flag is raised and a free kick is handed to the away side. You just get the feeling that Madrid feel that they have something to prove this evening. It could be a big score if they really turn it on.
RED CARD AND PENALTY: OH MY WORD. How do you write this script? Adan has been dismissed for Madrid for fouling Vela in the penalty area. Iker Casillas will come on barely six minutes into the match. It was very untidy from the goalkeeper.
Casillas was clearly not prepared for the action as he continues to wrap his wrists. However, he does join us in place of Callejon. His first involvement will be to face a penalty, almost certainly from Vela. There is never, ever a dull moment at this club. Carvalho has to have some blame for allowing Vela to drive into the area.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Real Sociedad (Prieto)
Casillas's introduction onto the field brought a bigger cheer than Madrid's opening goal. However, he could not perform his heroics as Prieto steps up to fire his effort into the corner of the net. Wonderful composure under such pressure. Some opening nine minutes to this match as Prieto fires wide following a Casillas mistake moments later.
It's Sociedad that look the most likely to take the lead as they force a couple of corners in quick succession. Casillas does not look mentally right to play here that is for certain. You just get the feeling that Madrid simply have to score the next goal. Could you imagine the boos if they didn't? It does not bare thinking about.
Half-chance for the home side as Alonso finds Ronaldo with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, the striker collects possession before turning and striking at goal, but he dragged his effort wide of the target. Ozil attempts to find the Portuguese moments later, but De la Bella clears.
So, let's run through the opening 16 minutes of the match. Two goals, a red card, a penalty, a return for Casillas, two mistakes from Casillas. Anything else? It is such an incredibly open fixture with both sides attacking with numbers. Sociedad can smell a rat here. They fancy themselves make no mistake about that.
Sociedad continue to play like the home side as they dominate possession with Pardo and Prieto providing balance to the midfield. Meanwhile, in the shape of Vela and Griezmann, they have two players who are prepared to stretch defences. Very strange atmosphere inside the ground at the moment.
Half-chance on the counter attack for Madrid as Khedira attempts to fire a long pass towards Benzema, but the German's delivery was just wide of the desired target. Griezmann attempts to pounce in the area down the other end, but this time Casillas is out to clear the danger. Really is end-to-end football at the moment.
Just signs that Madrid are starting to take control of the possession with Essien and Ozil enjoying decent spells with the ball. However, there is a serious lack of confidence in the final third with Ronaldo struggling to influence proceedings. But you sense that the best of the action is still to come.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Vela collects possession outside the penalty area before turning and striking a powerful effort towards goal, but Casillas got down well to claim the danger. It appears that the Spanish goalkeeper has finally warmed up. You just don't know what is going to happen next in this match.
It's smart football from Madrid in and around the Sociedad box as Ronaldo combines with Benzema before attempting to curl an effort into the top corner, but Estrada makes a vital block. Arbeloa collects and attempts to find Ronaldo with the resulting cross, but Bravo is out to collect.
Not a great deal to report in terms of chances as we approach the 30-minute mark in the match. Both teams are enjoying spells of possession, without ever really threatening to add to the scoring. You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could prove vital to the overall result.
Another long pass from Khedira comes close to finding the run of Benzema, but it skids off the turf and Bravo is out to collect. He starts an attack for his side with Vela collecting possession on the right, but he is chopped down by Varane and Sociedad have a free kick outside the box.
The free kick is played short and it eventually comes to Griezmann on the edge of the penalty area, but the Frenchman can only fire wide of the target when he should have done better. The football is all coming from the away side at the moment. But you have to fancy Madrid to respond stronger in the second period.
Again it's good work from Sociedad as Ifran drives between two Madrid defenders before attempting to find the run of Vela, but the Mexican just cannot collect with Varane stepping out of defence. Ronaldo attempts to feed Benzema down the other end, but Zurutuzu clears.
Decent spell for Madrid with Ronaldo and Benzema both coming close with low crosses into the penalty area, but Bravo is out to collect on both occasions. Khedira is starting to have an influence from midfield, but we have seen little from Alonso and Ozil thus far.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad (Khedira)
This game shows no sign of slowing down as Carvalho drives a low cross into the penalty area and Khedira is on hand to flick his low effort past the goalkeeper. The German has been the star of the show thus far and he deserves his goal.
It's all Madrid at the moment as Ronaldo strikes a powerful effort from the edge of the area, but Mikel Gonzalez is out to make the block. The pressure continues as Benzema drives a low cross into the penalty box, but this time the danger is cleared by Bravo.
Sociedad come close with two chances in quick succession down the other end, but Casillas flaps the first cross clear before Carvalho just beats Ifran to possession. You cannot help but feel that there are more goals in this match. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad (Prieto)
What an incredible game of football. Just wow. Prieto has his second of the match and levels the terms as he pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area before thumping his effort past Casillas from close range. Game on.
Ronaldo comes close to levelling the terms as he strikes a free kick from the edge of the area, but Bravo is more than equal to it and punches clear of the danger zone. Vela chases down possession at the other end, but his cross is short and Arbeloa clears. What a game of football.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of football at the end of the half. I certainly do not want this opening period to end. Let's hope that the second 45 minutes is equally as special.
Not too much to get excited about in stoppage time. Couple of attacks from Madrid threatened to add to their tally with Ronaldo and Benzema combining on the edge of the penalty area, but it comes to nothing. Meanwhile, Carvalho produces a fine header to clear a Griezmann cross down the other end.
POST! What was I saying? Not too much to get excited about? Stunning end to the half as Ozil finds Benzema on the edge of the box. The Frenchman curls his effort towards the top corner, but it thumps off the post. Incredible.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-2 Real Sociedad
One word to describe that half? Wow. Four goals, a sending off, a penalty, a host of chances. Spanish football is back folks. That is the most enthralling 45 minutes of action I have seen in La Liga this season. It had everything you could possibly want.
Madrid led twice through Benzema and Khedira, but a double from Prieto has meant that the score is level at the interval. Casillas started on the bench once more, but was introduced in the early stages after Adan had been sent off. You just cannot write the script.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Sociedad have shaded the possession with 55%, but both teams have had seven attempts. In truth, a draw at this stage just about reflects the opening period. But you would still have to fancy the home team as the match advances.
Just a reminder of what we have to come this evening. Following the completion of this match we have action from Barcelona vs. Espanyol, before Atletico Madrid travel to Real Mallorca at 9pm. Action at both the top and bottom of the table. You will not want to miss it.
Here we go then. Both teams join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval. There is a strange atmosphere inside the ground. The home supporters are staying with their team, but they are very uncomfortable with the present situation.
Decent start to the second period from the away side with Estrada advancing down the left before whipping a cross into the penalty area, but Casillas is out to collect. The goalkeeper attempts to restart an attack by finding Ronaldo out wide, but the attacker's run is cut short.
Sociedad are playing like the home side at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Madrid half. Jose Mourinho's side attempt to break as Ronaldo wins possession from Estrada, but the referee blows his whistle, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
Half-chance for the home side as Khedira finds Ronaldo in the penalty area, but the attacker just cannot collect with Martinez on hand to clear the danger. Another half-chance arrives as Benzema finds Khedira on the edge of the box, but the German is quickly closed down.
Again it's good football from the away side as Vela combines with Prieto down the right, but it just breaks down at the vital moment. Ronaldo attempts to carry the fight down the other end, but he cannot combine with Benzema and the danger is cleared. Both teams are having a go in the early stages of the second period.
Another half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo strikes a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Another attack arrives as Arbeloa drives a low cross into the penalty area, but De la Bella thumps clear. It's all Madrid at the moment as Ronaldo fires a free kick wide.
Again Ronaldo goes alone as he strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it is wide of the post. The Portuguese stands and stares at the supporters. He is not a happy man at the moment that is for certain. Meanwhile, the looks from Ozil and Benzema tell a similar story.
First change of the match for the away side as Ifran is replaced by Chory Castro. It appears that Griezmann will take up the main position in attack with Vela operating in and around the Frenchman. They certainly have good options in the final third. Little over 30 minutes to play and the score remains level at 2-2.
A big cheer erupts from the crowd as Higuain - who is back from a two-month injury - begins to stretch on the side of the pitch. The home side have options on the bench that is for certain. Another corner comes from Madrid with Ozil's delivery right into the penalty area, but Bravo comes to collect with confidence.
Madrid are certainly the team in the ascendancy as we approach the final 25 minutes of this match. However, a host of fouls from the away side are interrupting the tempo and therefore the supporters continue to air their discomfort. But you still get the feeling that there are goals in this match.
Half-chance for Sociedad as Pardo whips a searching free kick into the penalty area, but Varane is on hand to clear the danger. Ozil carries the fight for Madrid down the other end, but his pass just would not fall for Benzema, before Ronaldo fires wide of the target once more.
Decent couple of moments from the away side as they force a succession of corners, but they are struggling to take control of the possession. They have a real chance to win this match against 10 men, but it is almost as if they do not have the belief to go on and claim three points in the Spanish capital.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Real Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo scores his 24th goal of the season to put Madrid into the lead and it had been coming. It's really good work from the two Germans Ozil and Khedira as they combine before finding Ronaldo, who thumps home from inside the penalty area.
Suddenly Madrid have their tails up as they advance forward with Ronaldo, but he is chopped down by Mikel Gonzalez, who perhaps should have been sent off. That is a view shared by the Madrid camp as handbags at dawn erupt. This is playground stuff here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Real Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Wow. What a stunning free kick from Ronaldo. The Portuguese skipper thumps his effort from the edge of the penalty area and into the back of the net. In truth the goalkeeper should have saved it. But Ronaldo will not mind.
Madrid have suddenly turned on the style and they go in search of their fifth as Benzema fires a high cross into the penalty area, but his delivery was just wide of the target. Sociedad have been incredibly disappointing in this second period. It will go down as a missed chance against 10 men.
Sociedad make a change as Elustondo replaces Zurutuza. Meanwhile, Madrid also make a change with Higuain making his return in place of Benzema. That is the biggest cheer of the night by some distance. The Argentine is a really popular figure in the Spanish capital.
CROSSBAR! Higuain almost makes his mark within moments of coming on as he strikes an effort from close range, but it thumps off the crossbar. No sign of rustiness there. However, the away side are now on the attack down the other end.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-3 Real Sociedad (Prieto)
Good grief. Did anyone see this coming?! Counter attack from the away side brings their and Prieto's third of the evening as he pounces in the area before finishing from close range. What a final 15 minutes we have on the cards.
Sociedad are having a real go now as they go in search of the leveller with an effort from Vela, but his strike just moves wide of the post. How do Madrid keep doing this to themselves? There are more goals in this match I am certain of that.
RED CARD: Estrada is given his marching orders for the away side. We are now down to 10 each. What more can happen in this match? It's poor from the defender as he chops Ronaldo down on the run. Why on earth is he making that challenge?
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Madrid to add their fifth as Varane meets a cross in the penalty area, but somehow the Frenchman fires his effort wide of the target. It was a superb delivery from Alonso. What next? Little under 10 minutes of football to play.
Sociedad make another change as De la Bella is replaced by Jose Angel. The latter is on a season-long loan from Italian club Roma. The away side attempt to attack the Madrid defence with Vela, but Varane is across to clear the danger.
Madrid make their third change of the evening as Ozil is replaced by Luka Modric. Not a bad replacement to bring on I suppose. You would fancy Madrid to hold on in the remaining three minutes of this match. Remember, Barcelona are next up against Espanyol. Be sure to remain with us for that one.
It's good football from the home side as they continue to keep hold of possession. They create a chance as Modric finds Ronaldo on the edge of the penalty area, but his effort is blocked by a fine challenge from Estrada. Little over one minute of football remaining.
Decent spell for the away side as they force a couple of corners in quick succession, but on each occasion the delivery is poor and the danger is cleared. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time at the end of the 90.
Not a great deal to get excited about in stoppage time. Modric had a long-range effort for the home side, but it was collected by the Sociedad goalkeeper. The away side have not responded as we thought since scoring their third. Little over 30 seconds of football to play.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 4-3 Real Sociedad
So there we have it. Madrid win by the odd goal in seven to secure all three points. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for Barcelona vs. Espanyol. Until then!
