Real Sociedad 1-2 Real Madrid

Real Sociedad 1-2 Real Madrid: Thunderous Cristiano Ronaldo Free Kick Gives Los Merengues A Hard Fought Victory At Anoeta
Two marvellous strikes from Angel Di Maria and Ronaldo were enough for Madrid as they made hard work of Real Sociedad...
By David Schiavone
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* Real Sociedad

A stunning effort from Angel Di Maria and a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick either side of Raul Tamudo's equaliser were enough to give Real Madrid all three points against a dogged Real Sociedad side.

The early momentum was of course made by Real Madrid having a couple of opportunities through Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, also a Cristiano Ronaldo free kick flashed just wide.

Despite their dominance in possession during the opening period Los Merengues failed to create any clear cut chances. Ronaldo was restricted to only a couple of shots and Sami Khedira lashed one high over the bar.

As the half wore on Real Sociedad had the better moments. Antoine Griezmann had the first after a cross from the left found him unmarked in the box but he could only balloon his header over the bar. Then a few minutes later he was put through on goal by Raul Tamudo but the Frenchman's low finish missed the bottom right corner by mere inches.

With the game becoming more and more scrappy it was La Real who were having the best of it, as Madrid unleashed attack after attack, the Txuri-urdin defence held firm and helped launch a number of incisive counter attacks especially down the right as Marcelo seemed to have been pinpointed as the weak link in the Blancos defensive line.

Xabi Prieto was having plenty of the ball and was able to pepper the Madrid box though most of his deliveries were dealt with.

The best chance of the half fell to Tamudo who was odds for an easy tap in but at first it seemed he had fluffed his lines but replays showed Casillas managed a slight touch to divert the ball away from the Real hitman.

By this point Madrid were having to do more defending than getting forward, Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Higuain were almost anonymous going into the half time break.



It only took Madrid five minutes after the interval to grab the opening goal, Di Maria picked the ball up on the left then dribbled into the box before cutting in on his weaker right foot and curling an unstoppable shot over the outstretched hand of Claudio Bravo into the top corner.

Just as Madrid seemed in the comfort zone they gave away a free kick just outside the area and conceded the equaliser. Griezmann swung in the delivery for the completely unmarked Tamudo who tapped in from three yards, though he seemed to be in an offside position when the ball was hit.

Ronaldo, who cut a frustrated figure for most of the game, put his team back into the lead once more with a stunning free kick that took a wicked deflection of team-mate Pepe to wrong foot Real goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who could only watch as the ball flew into the top corner.

Xavi Prieto almost snatched a point late on for the Basques as his curling effort shaved the crossbar with Casillas beaten. But the visitors should have had a third at the death as they opened up La Real with ease on numerous occasions in the final few minutes.

The result puts Los Merengues top of La Liga, if only for one evening as Valencia and Atletico Madrid are yet to play. Real Sociedad drop one place from fifth to sixth.