The fourth official indicates three additional minutes for stoppages.
86'
Real Madrid are sapping precious minutes off the clock, shifting it from right to left and back again. They’ve managed the hard part of the fixture, and just have to see out the final four minutes.
84'
Joseba Zaldúa gets yellow.
Zaldua is shown a yellow card for going through the back of Hazard in a crunching tackle.
83'
Isco enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
Modric has had his hand in all three Real Madrid goals today - and he deserves his early rest. Isco is his replacement.
80'
A. Isak enters the game and replaces Mikel Oyarzabal.
Oyarzabal is replaced by Isak with 10 minutes remaining.
78'
Bale lays the ball off for Kroos on the edge of the penalty area, but the recently introduced midfielder leans back a little too far, sending his effort over the far corner he was aiming for.
76'
T. Kroos enters the game and replaces F. Valverde.
Zidane immediately makes a switch after going up 3-1, as Kroos replaces Valverde.
74'
L. Modrić has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
Benzema returns the favour as his headed pass is the assist for Modric's goal - after the Croatia international set up Benzema for a strike earlier.
MODRIC GETS HIS GOAL! It’s a fantastic strike from the Real Madrid midfielder who takes up a position in the penalty area and gets on the end of a Benzema headed knock-down, smashing a half-volley past Remiro with his left! 3-1 Real Madrid!
73'
A. Januzaj enters the game and replaces Portu.
Alguacil feels it’s time to make his first change, as Portu is replaced by Januzaj.
Minute
Description
71'
With 20 minutes and all three substitutions remaining, can Alguacil’s side find the goal necessary to restore parity? Their confidence from the first half seems to have been sapped away as they appear tentative in possession. Perhaps the introduction of Januzaj or Isak will give the visitors a boost.
69'
Bale is unable to turn Valverde’s chipped pass towards Remiro on the volley as he miscues the effort - but the linesman’s flag saves his blushes as the striker was in an offside position anyways.
67'
G. Bale enters the game and replaces Rodrygo.
Zidane makes the switch at the 67th minute, as Bale enters the fray to whistles and jeers, with Rodrygo going off to make way for him.
64'
There’s some uproar in the stands as Bale looks to be coming into the match with just over 30 minutes remaining. The noises don’t seem particularly encouraging for the Wales international, as the whistles ring out from all four sides of the Bernabeu.
62'
Hazard works himself into shooting space after a great leading pass by Valverde, who has really grown into the match. The former Chelsea forward hits his effort with power, but like Odegaard’s effort minutes before - it’s hit right at the goalkeeper who makes the save.
60'
Odegaard latches onto the ball on the edge of the penalty area but his curled shot fails to pull to one side or another as it bends right into the arms of Courtois.
58'
Real Madrid have the lead but that isn’t stopping Ramos from coming forward and acting as an auxiliary midfielder in an attempt to overwhelm the Sociedad defence. The captain is known for taking risks, but his pedigree allows him to attempt more or less anything he chooses.
56'
Benzema picks up the loose ball after a poor throw-in and plays an absolutely sublime throughball for Rodrygo, who is unable to find the head of Hazard or the aforementioned Benzema, who had continued his run into the penalty area. More great play from the hosts who now seem confident in the lead.
54'
Zaldua bursts forward in an attempt to drag his team with him and puts a cross in for Willian Jose, but the striker is marked well by Varane who heads it away at the first time of asking.
52'
Sergio Ramos gets yellow.
Ramos goes through the back of Odegaard and picks up a yellow card.
49'
Benzema threads a pass through the Real Sociedad midfield for Carvajal, but the right-back is unable to get his cross into the penalty area. The hosts have looked lively since Benzema put them on the score sheet; they’ve finally woken up.
47'
F. Valverde has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by L. Modrić.
REAL MADRID TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH VALVERDE! 2-1! Modric brings a Benzema cross down with an outstretched foot, before taking the ball outside of the penalty area and laying it off for Valverde. The midfielder takes a touch to set himself before firing a shot which deflects off of Oyarzabal, leaving Remiro rooted to the spot!
Modric’s pass for Valverde is his second assist of the match, after setting Benzema up for Madrid’s first.
46'
Real Sociedad get the match restarted from the kick-off!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-1 REAL SOCIEDAD.
45'
The fourth official indicates one additional minute of stoppage time.
41'
Hazard looks to skip past two defenders on the left edge of the penalty area, but Zaldua manages to do just enough to poke it away from the Belgium international.
39'
Real Madrid are smelling blood in the water as they send nine players around the Sociedad penalty area to attack the box. Mendy manages to the ball out of his feet with a weak cross - but Remiro’s punch allows the visitors a second to breathe.
37'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by L. Modrić.
BENZEMA EQUALISES! 1-1! Modric swings a free-kick near the right touchline into the six-yard box for Benzema who uses his chest to knock it past Remiro! It’s an awkward finish - but a goal nonetheless, as the contact avoided the strikers’ arm! The hosts have found their equaliser!
Modric’s delightful cross for Benzema goes down as the assist.
34'
Modric takes a free-kick near the right corner flag but it’s immediately knocked away by the Sociedad defence. The clearance doesn’t get far, however, as Willian Jose is flagged for a handball in midfield which allows Real Madrid to get back in possession.
32'
Carvajal makes his way up the pitch but can only muster a weak back-post cross which is sniffed out by Elustondo who has popped up at every opportunity to save his goalkeeper.
30'
After 30 minutes, the hosts have done little to assure their supporters that they are capable of getting back into the match. A couple of long-distance strikes are all Madrid have been able to muster thus far, with Sociedad’s goalkeeper more than equal to the task.
28'
Real Sociedad are playing through the Real Madrid press with pace and intent as they continue to get forward down Oyarzabal’s left. Carvajal and Modric have put up precious little opposition in defence, which should be cause for Zidane’s concern.
26'
Hazard drags two defenders towards him before cutting into the 18-yard box and firing a low drive towards Remiro, which the goalkeeper handles to perfection.
24'
Monreal climbs all over Rodrygo during an aerial duel which leaves the Real Madrid forward down in pain clutching his side. The referee won’t produce a card - but he’s giving the former Arsenal full-back a stern talking to.
22'
Modric takes a corner towards the six-yard box for Benzema, but his high, looping header is eventually caught by Remiro.
20'
After a couple of minutes on the sideline, the Sociedad captain has returned to the pitch and retaken his spot on the left. He’s still walking quite awkwardly - though he’ll be determined to continue.
18'
Terrible scenes for Sociedad as Oyarzabal is down after blocking a blasted Carvajal clearance with a very sensitive part of the body. He’s down receiving treatment - hopefully, he’ll be okay.
16'
Mendy hammers a shot from outside the area with his right foot after cutting inside, but Remiro gets down and makes a wonderful save to keep his side ahead.
12'
Rodrygo plays a lovely one-two with Benzema in a tight area to get the winger free down the right, but Elustondo comes across to whack away the low delivery.
10'
Varane attempts a long pass over the top to release Hazard, but Sociedad’s tireless working wins them back possession in midfield.
8'
Hazard gets on the end of a lovely Benzema throughball and drives towards the byline, taking his shot slightly too late - as he hits the side netting.
6'
Hazard switches play to the right for Carvajal, who gets Modric involved in the build-up. A sweeping cross to Benzema is hit from the corner of the 18-yard box, but Elustondo heads it away.
4'
Zidane looks mystified on the touchline as he urges his side forward. It’s as poor a start as possible for Madrid, who are once again out of possession.
2'
Willian José has scored a goal for Real Sociedad!
WHAT A START TO THE MATCH! 1-0 SOCIEDAD! It’s a horrible pass backwards from Ramos intended for Courtois, but the centre-back passes it blindly, which allows Willian Jose intercept, before rounding the keeper and turning it in! The visitors go in front!
1'
Real Madrid get the match underway from the kick-off!
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the LaLiga fixture between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad!
Real Madrid host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu with a place in the top two on the line. The hosts enter today’s contest in second place thanks to Barcelona’s win over Leganes earlier; though a win for Zinedine Zidane’s squad today would put them back level, and joint-top of LaLiga after 13 fixtures.
Real Sociedad travel to Madrid in search of the three points necessary to catapult them over their opponents and into second position in their own right - despite failing to win in two of their last three matches. Fifth place Sociedad have been a pleasant surprise in the early stages of the season, with Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal and Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard integral to their success.
REAL MADRID XI (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Ferland Mendy, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal; Federico Valverde, Casemiro, Luka Modric; Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Rodrygo.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let's take a look at the team news, starting with the hosts!
REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS: Robin Le Normand, Aihen Munoz, Alexander Isak, Adnan Januzaj, Ander Guevara, David Zurutuza, Miguel Angel Moya.
REAL SOCIEDAD XI (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Joseba Zaldua, Aritz Elustondo, Diego Llorente, Nacho Monreal; Martin Odegaard, Igor Zubeldia, Mikel Marino; Portu, Willian Jose, Mikel Oyarzabal.
REAL MADRID SUBS: Marcelo, Eder Militao, Gareth Bale, Isco, Alphonse Areola, Luka Jovic, Toni Kroos.
As things stand, Real Madrid would remain second, while Sociedad would go up to fourth ahead of tomorrow’s fixtures. Though a draw would suit both sides, the inability to pick up all three points would ultimately favour Barcelona most. With that in mind, both managers should set their stalls out to attack. It will be interesting to see whether or not the services of Bale will be required as legs grow tired - especially after his displays in the international break.
That concludes our commentary of the LaLiga fixture between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad! We hope you enjoyed it!
Real Madrid are in action next on Tuesday against PSG in the Champions League, before next Saturday’s LaLiga clash with Deportivo Alaves. Real Sociedad will look to rebound with a win on November 30 against Eibar.
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