Defeating 'dark horse' Sociedad, Real returns to Top 4 La Liga

Real won 3-1 at Sociedad, the team earned 9 points from the first 3 matches.

Goals: Kevin Rodrigues 28' - Borja Mayoral 19', Kevin Rodrigues own goal 36', Gareth Bale 61'

Visiting Sociedad's field, in addition to the pressure of performance, Real also faces difficulties in terms of playing force. MeanwhileWith Ronaldo suspended and Benzema out with an injury, Zidane was forced to bring in young striker Borja Mayoral to start. Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale were supporting Borja on both wings.

What surprised the audience was that Borja himself brought a breakthrough for Real. The 20-year-old striker began to leave his mark with a volley to open the score for the visitors in the 20th minute, in a situation that started from a turn and a pass from Sergio Ramos.

Bale (left) regains his scoring touch in Real's shirt. Photo: Reuters

Not long after the opener, Borja once again forced goalkeeper Geromino Rulli to pick the ball out of his own net. This time the young Real striker crossed the ball and forced Kevin Rodrigues to take an own goal in the 36th minute.

In between Borja's two goals, Kevin Rodrigues scored a beautiful goal to help Sociedad level 1-1. The Portuguese player put the ball into the net of goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a beautiful volley from a cross from the right wing. This was also Real's fourth goal conceded in the first four rounds of La Liga.

Having the advantage of leading until the end of the first half, Real played more confidently in the last 45 minutes. The midfield led by Luka Modric completely dominated the Sociedad midfield.

Real fans did not have to wait long to see the winning goal. In the 61st minute, after accelerating to receive a high pass from Isco, Bale used the tip of his boot to lift the ball past goalkeeper Rulli to score. This was also Bale's second goal of the season.

Bale (left) regains his scoring touch in Real's shirt. Photo: Reuters

With their second win in four games, Real now have eight points in total. Thanks to the victory, the defending champions are back in the Top 4, behind only Barca, Sevilla and Sociedad. Atletico also have eight points but are in fifth place due to a lower goal difference.

While Real have started to return to the title race, Sociedad have shown a lack of courage to transform into a candidate. The Basque team has nine points but is no longer putting pressure on Barca like in previous rounds.

Kevin Rodrigues was both responsible and guilty of Socieda's defeat.

According to VNE