Real Madrid go four points clear with comfortable Real Sociedad win
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Updated 29/01/2017 at 21:59 GMT
La Liga, Bernabeu - Real Madrid 3 (Kovacic 38, Ronaldo 51, Morata 82) Real Sociedad 0
Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 29, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Real Madrid made the most of Barcelona’s slip up to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Real Sociedad.
Zinedine Zidane’s side put behind them a difficult week, which saw them crash out of the Copa del Rey to Celta Vigo, to turn in a comprehensive performance against a high-flying La Real side at the Santiago Bernabeu side.
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 29, 2017.
Image credit: AFP
Mateo Kovacic scored the opener to set Real Madrid on their way, with Cristiano Ronaldo doubling the home side’s advantage just five minutes into the second half. From there Zinedine Zidane’s team were untouchable.
Inigo Martinez was sent off for a second bookable offence before substitute Alvaro Morata completed the scoring with a header from a Lucas Vazquez cross. Zidane will have been satisfied with what he saw from his side as they moved further clear at the top.
TALKING POINT
Has Alvaro Morata moved ahead of Karim Benzema in the pecking order? He was only on the pitch for 20 minutes, but Morata did what Karim Benzema couldn’t against Real Sociedad - score. And he could have had a couple, such was the threat he posed upon coming off the bench. Benzema, on the other hand looked sluggish and was jeered off, so has Morata moved ahead of his French team-mate in the pecking order?
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid):The Croatian scored the opening goal of the game and assisted for Ronaldo’s strike to make it 2-0, but Kovacic’s performance was about more than just his productivity in front of goal. He was quite simply the best player on the pitch, controlling the contest and dictating the pace and tempo of Real Madrid’s play throughout.
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Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic celebrates scoring a goal
Image credit: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid - Navas 6, Danilo 5, Ramos 6, Varane 6, Nacho 7, Casemiro 7, Kroos 7, Kovacic 8, Vazquez 6, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 5. Subs - Isco 5, Asensio 5, Morata 7.
Real Sociedad - Rulli 6, Zaldua 7, Inigo 4, Navas 5, Rodrigues 6, Illarramendi 6, Zurutuza 7, Canales 5, Juanmi 6, Jose 5, Oyarzabal 6. Subs - Prieto 5, Vela 5, Granero 5.
KEY MOMENTS
34’ MORE JEERS FOR RONALDO! The Real Madrid number seven makes another misplaced pass straight out of play and the home supporters jeer him. That's quite remarkable.
38’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Real Sociedad: Real Madrid have the opening goal! Ronaldo plays a great pass into the path of Kovacic, who slides a finish underneath the advancing Rulli. They have a 1-0 lead.
50’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Real Sociedad: Real Madrid have doubled their advantage! Ronaldo is played through on goal and chips a clever finish over Rulli and into the Sociedad net.
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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) is congratulated by Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos (L) and Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Socieda
Image credit: AFP
75’ SENT OFF! Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad). He got away with one earlier in the match, but this time the referee has no choice but to show Martinez a second yellow for a foul on Casemiro.
81’ GOAL! Real Sociedad 3-0 Real Sociedad: Morata has got his goal! Get him on the pitch and he tends to score. Real Madrid com forward on he counter attack and the striker heads home Vazquez's cross.
KEY STATS
Mateo Kovacic scored and assisted in the same game for the first time as a Real Madrid player.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 13 goals in his last 13 games for Real Madrid in all competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made 79 assists in La Liga, at 25 more than any other Real Madrid player since his debut.
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