Real Madrid welcomed Real Sociedad to the Bernabeu on Sunday night looking to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to four points from second-place Barcelona.
Sociedad matched Los Blancos for long spells of the first period, but the home side took the lead in the 38th minute when Mateo Kovacic found the back of the net with a smart finish.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata then struck for Real Madrid in the second half against a Sociedad team that finished with 10 men following a late red card for Inigo Martinez.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Real Sociedad in what should be a cracking game of football. The hosts will be looking to move further clear at the summit following dropped points for Barcelona and Sevilla this afternoon, but Sociedad are currently pushing for the top four after an impressive 2016-17 campaign to date. Stay tuned!
Real Madrid have only lost once to Sociedad since the 2003-04 campaign, when the Basque outfit actually won both league fixtures. Sociedad's last success over Los Blancos came during the 2014-15 season, but Real Madrid have won all four of their league meetings since then – including a 3-0 victory when they travelled to the Anoeta for the reverse match back in August.
Sociedad have only ever won twice at the Bernabeu and they suffered a 3-1 defeat on their last visit to this stadium in December 2015. It is a tough ask for the visitors tonight, but they have been in fine form in recent weeks and are really pressing for a Champions League position as the season develops.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Both of these teams were in Copa del Rey action during the week and both were actually eliminated in their respective quarter-final ties. Indeed, Real Madrid lost 4-3 on aggregate to Celta Vigo after a 2-2 draw at the Balaidos, while Sociedad lost 5-2 at Barcelona to exit the competition.
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Casemiro, Kroos, Kovacic; Lucas, Benzema, Ronaldo
SOC: Rulli; Zaldua, Navas, Inigo, Kevin; Illarra, Canales, Zurutuza; Oyarzabal, Juanmi, Willian
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, with Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane and Lucas Vasquez taking the places of Kiko Casilla, Isco and Marco Asensio. The return of Varane sees Casemiro move into central midfield, while Mateo Kovacic, Nacho and Danilo all keep their spots in the XI.
As for Sociedad, head coach Eusebio Sacristan has made four changes to the team that lost 5-2 at Barcelona on Thursday night. Joseba Zaldua replaces Aritz Elustondo at right-back, while there is a La Liga debut for Kevin Rodrigues at left-back as Yuri drops out of the selection. There are also a couple of changes further forward as Sergio Canales and Juanmi replace Xabi Prieto and Carlos Vela, who have both dropped to the bench. It is again a flexible 4-3-3 formation for the Basque outfit.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side and their recent form a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos were knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday night after a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo saw them lose 4-3 on aggregate.
In terms of La Liga, Real Madrid still sit top of the table on 43 points despite having two games in hand over second-place Barcelona and third-place Sevilla. Indeed, Barcelona could only draw 1-1 at Real Betis earlier this afternoon, before Sevilla lost 3-1 at Espanyol. Victory tonight would move Los Blancos four points clear of second-place Barcelona, still with a game in hand (away to Valencia).
Real Madrid set a new Spanish record of 40 games unbeaten when they drew 3-3 with Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on January 12, but that long run came to an end when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla in the league three days later. They did manage to beat Malaga 2-1 in the league last weekend, but it was far from convincing from Zidane's side and an improvement will be expected tonight.
Barcelona stumbled last season after competing in the Club World Cup and Real Madrid have suffered a similar fate at the start of 2017 after their success in that particular competition last month. Los Blancos remain the team to beat in La Liga, however, and victory tonight would place them in an extremely strong position as they look to win their first league title since 2012.
After this match, Real Madrid will visit an in-form Celta Vigo in the league next weekend, before travelling to struggling Osasuna on February 11. Then comes the small matter of the return of the Champions League as Real Madrid host Italian outfit Napoli in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
As for Sociedad, the Basque outfit were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night after losing 5-2 to Barcelona, but they are currently going very well in the league. Indeed, a total of 35 points from 19 matches has left Eusebio Sacristan's side in fifth position in the table – just one point behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid. A win tonight would take them into a Champions League spot.
Since securing fourth in La Liga in the 2012-13 campaign, Sociedad have finished seventh, 12th and ninth over the last three seasons. David Moyes failed to make his mark with the Spanish club, but Eusebio has settled things down and 11 wins from 19 league matches this season is an indication of their improvement during the 2016-17 campaign. This will be a tough game for Real Madrid.
Indeed, only Barcelona (12), Sevilla (13) and Real Madrid (13) have won more league games than Sociedad this season and the Basque outfit will enter this match off the back of a run of four wins from their last five in Spain's top flight. They did lose 4-0 at home to third-place Sevilla on January 7, but have beaten Malaga and Celta Vigo without conceding in their last two in the league.
Sociedad have actually won five of their nine away league matches this season, but as mentioned, they have a poor record at the Bernabeu. Eusebio's side have beaten Atletico and drawn with Barcelona this season though and will enter this match full of confidence following a strong run.
Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of the first period at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are, of course, the favourites tonight, but you just get the feeling that this could be a tough game for the league leaders. Stay tuned for all of the action from the Bernabeu.
KICKOFF! Sociedad kick things off at the Bernabeu...
... it is very much a winter night in Madrid as the rain falls and the temperature continues to drop. Not the best, but we should have a good game of football on our hands! As expected, it has been a fast start as both teams battle for early control of the possession, which could be vital.
Half-chance for the home side as Benzema drives down the right and delivers a low cross into the Sociedad box, but neither Ronaldo nor Lucas Vasquez can make contact. Sociedad manage to clear their lines, but the pressure comes straight back as Kroos strides through the middle of midfield.
CHANCE! Oyarzabal drives into the Real Madrid box, but instead of shooting, the number 18 looks for Willian Jose and the home side can clear their lines. Dangerous moment there!
BOOKING! Inigo (Sociedad) is booked for a heavy challenge on Ronaldo.
Eight minutes on the clock and the score remains level, but it has been a very entertaining start to this match. Real Madrid, as expected, are dangerous when they counter, but Sociedad are also causing problems in wide positions. I would be surprised if we did not see goals tonight.
Rulli is quickly off his line to prevent a poked pass from Kovacic finding Benzema, but the French striker was in an offside position. Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment. There are some wet supporters! Rotten night in Madrid as 9pm local time approaches!
I am not sure about Juanmi's hair-do, but the number seven for Sociedad has been in impressive form in recent weeks and is certainly causing Real Madrid's defence problems in the early stages of this match. Not too much between the two sides at the moment as we head for the 13th minute.
CHANCE! Super work from Vasquez as the Real Madrid attacker drives past Rodrigues before delivering a low cross towards Benzema, but Navas makes a fine clearance!
Ramos is fortunate to escape a booking after bringing Inigo to the deck in Real Madrid's half of the field. It has been a sloppy last few minutes from the home side as they concede possession.
SAVE! Navas has to push Willian Jose's low free kick wide of the post.
Willian Jose gets away from his marker and meets a clipped free kick from Canales, but his effort was always wide of the post. Sociedad continue to look the more likely to make the breakthrough.
Smart work from Kovacic releases Ronaldo in a wide position and the number seven looks to find the head of Benzema with a deep cross, but Inigo makes an important clearance at the far post.
Real Madrid are far too narrow at the moment and that is allowing Sociedad to crowd central positions and make it very difficult for the home side to pick a pass. Not too many clear chances in the opening 22 minutes of this match and it has actually been a very even contest to this point.
Canales hits one from distance, but it is a comfortable save for Navas.
You just get the feeling that Benzema needs a goal tonight to get some of the Real Madrid supporters off his back! He has been neat and tidy in the opening 25 minutes of this match, but has struggled to really harm Sociedad's back four. Still goalless in the Spanish capital tonight.
Half-chance for Vasquez as the Real Madrid winger meets a free kick from Kroos, but the Spaniard's ambitious attempt was never threatening to harm Rulli in the Sociedad net.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still waiting for the first serious chance of this match. Willian Jose has had a couple of half-chances for the visitors, but neither goalkeeper has been seriously worked. Real Madrid need their supporters to stay with them here.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last few minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it. Sociedad have not had to do too much to keep a clean sheet so far tonight.
Real Madrid's sensational 40-game unbeaten run has to be commended, but Los Blancos have not been the same team over the last couple of weeks. They are missing a lot of key players and nothing is happening at the moment as Sociedad continue to enjoy good possession of the ball.
Ronaldo hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.
As it stands, Real Madrid would move two points clear of second-place Barcelona in La Liga and would still have a game in hand over the current champions. Not a bad position to be in!
Just the one yellow card in this match, but there could have been more due to the nature of some of the challenges that have arrived. It is almost a dead game at the moment - no chances, no real attacking intent from either side and a lack of atmosphere inside the stadium. Disappointing so far!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Sociedad (Kovacic)
Breakthrough! Real Madrid take the lead in the 38th minute of this match as Ronaldo pokes the ball towards Kovacic and the midfielder sweeps the ball under Rulli and into the bottom corner!
BOOKING! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for a lunge on Kevin.
Sociedad have not offered too much in the final third of the field, but Eusebio has a lot of attacking options on his bench and you still get the feeling that there is something in this game for the visitors.
Circus-like punch from Navas as the Real Madrid goalkeeper deals with a cross from Kevin. Not too sure about the execution, but the ball was cleared and the home side can attack once again.
Ronaldo has the chance to place the ball into the path of Benzema after a switch from Danilo, but the Portuguese gets it wrong and Sociedad survive what was a very dangerous moment.
CLOSE! Super chance for Sociedad to level as a brilliant move led to Canales feeding Juanmi inside the Real Madrid box, but the number seven sweeps his effort wide of the post!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Sociedad 1-0 courtesy of a smart finish from Kovacic seven minutes before the end of the half. The visitors have had their moments in the final third, but have thus far been unable to seriously test Navas.
STATISTICS! Sociedad have actually shaded the possession with 53%, while they have hit the target with two of their four attempts at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid only hit the target with one of their four attempts, but it found the back of the net. Two yellow cards to report - Inigo and Kroos.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid might have a number of injuries at the moment, but they still have a very impressive bench tonight, with Isco, Asensio, Mariano and Morata among those available for Zidane. Sociedad, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Granero, Prieto and Vela.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, you suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second period.
You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result tonight. Real Madrid are vulnerable at 1-0, but a second would make them comfortable in the second period. It is still a very finely balanced football match at the Bernabeu.
CHANCE! Rodrigues has a powerful strike deflected over the crossbar as Sociedad continue to put the pressure on the home side. End-to-end football at the moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Sociedad (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid score their second in the 51st minute of this match as Kovacic slides a super pass into Ronaldo and the Portuguese produces a brilliant chip to beat Rulli. Brilliant from Ronaldo!
You just wonder whether it might be time for Carlos Vela to enter the field for Sociedad. Real Madrid now have a firm grip on this match and space will open when Sociedad break forward.
Ronaldo dances past a couple of challenges on the edge of the Sociedad box before attempting to feed Benzema, but Inigo is aware of the danger and comes across to make the clearance. The visitors then break down the other end with Juanmi, but the number seven cannot escape Danilo.
SOCIEDAD SUBS! Prieto and Vela replace Canales and Willian Jose.
Still more than 30 minutes of this football match remaining and Sociedad only need one goal to make it a potentially uncomfortable conclusion for Real Madrid. A third for the home side, however, would certainly secure all the points. Benzema seems intent on getting on the scoresheet tonight.
Decent possession for Sociedad in the last few moments, but they are not really threatening to find a route through Real Madrid's defence, which was far from water-tight in the first 45 minutes.
Just a reminder that as things stand Real Madrid are moving four points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Zidane's side would still have a game in hand.
Morata will soon enter the frame for Real Madrid.
REAL MADRID SUB! Morata takes the place of Benzema.
Decent possession for Sociedad in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it and Real Madrid have looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Ronaldo attempts to find Morata with a deep cross towards the far post, but Rodrigues is on hand to make the clearance.
Oh no! Inigo, already on a booking, is very fortunate to escape a red card after bringing Kovacic to the deck. Ronaldo has a word with the referee, but the Spanish centre-back remains on the field.
BOOKING! Rodrigues (Sociedad) is booked following a tangle with Vasquez.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Morata heads a Ronaldo free kick home, but the flag is raised!
SAVE! Rulli makes a smart save to keep out Vasquez after the Sociedad goalkeeper had presented Real Madrid with a chance following a poor pass from the back.
RED CARD! INIGO!
Inigo Martinez is given a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Casemiro!
Real Madrid will fancy their chances of scoring a third goal in the final 15 minutes of this match as Sociedad continue to drop deep. The visitors have really lost their way in the last few minutes.
BOOKING! Vasquez (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Zurutuza.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Vasquez for the home side.
SOCIEDAD SUB! Sociedad make their final change as Granero replaces Canales.
Real Madrid have not exactly been great tonight, but they are closing on a vital win, which would take them four points clear at the top of the table. It has been a brilliant weekend for Los Blancos with Barcelona dropping two points at Real Betis and 10-man Sevilla losing at Espanyol.
In fairness to Sociedad, they are still trying to force the issue as they commit players in the final third. The visitors have had some decent moments tonight, but have just struggled with that final pass. They are heading for a defeat tonight, but will come again in their battle for the top four.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Sociedad (Morata)
It is 3-0 to Real Madrid as Morata heads a brilliant Vasquez cross into the bottom corner. Morata cannot get a start at the moment, but he continues to find the net off the bench!
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez is replaced by Asensio.
The stadium is just starting to empty as Real Madrid close on another three points in the league. Barcelona and Sevilla have been made to pay for their dropped points earlier this afternoon.
Possession football for Sociedad in the last couple of minutes as they look to limit the damage.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo sweeps the ball home, but he is offside!
We are into the first of two added minutes at the end of the second period.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-0 Sociedad
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at the Bernabeu to a close with Real Madrid running out 3-0 winners over Sociedad to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to four points from second-place Barcelona. Sociedad, meanwhile, remain fifth and one point off fourth-place Atletico. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you again soon!
