Real Sociedad stage comeback to defeat Real Madrid 4-2
By Jacob Cooper
After looking unstoppable in the early going, Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad, their first league defeat of the season.
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Real Madrid took lead through Sergio Ramos in the fifth minute, converting a header from Toni Kroos’ corner to get the Champions League winners off to a flying start. In the eleventh minute, Gareth Bale doubled the lead and it looked set to be a long night for Real Sociedad, who lost Antoine Griezmann this summer to Atletico. Bale showed his immense skill with a nutmeg on a Sociedad defender, before a cute finish into the corner.
Los Galacticos had a number of chances to make it three, four or even five, but failed to convert. After looking in control of the match, Sociedad pegged back in the 35th minute through Inigo Martinez, who bundled in a corner against the run of play. Just five minutes later, the tide turned when Sociedad equalised before the half time whistle; David Zurutuza scoring a bullet header from a Alberto De la Bella cross.
Despite Madrid pressing in the second half, Sociedad made them rue their missed chances by going 3-2 up through David Zurutuza, his second of the match. The midfielder once again turned in a cross, this time from captain Xabi Prieto, and made the home fans erupt.
Failed attempts to equalise from Ancelotti’s side were once again capitalised on, this time through former Arsenal player Carlos Vela. Vela caught onto a loose ball inside the box, drilling in a shot to make it 4-2 to the home side to the dismay of Madrid.
It was a frustrating performance by Real Madrid, who should have gone home with all three points before defensive errors and poor finishing paid its price. The nature of the loss could lead to Carlos Ancelotti having a busy deadline day, as his Madrid side — despite making some world-class purchases — look to be lacking a certain something.