Modric looks to put the game to bed as he cuts in from the right wing and powers a left-footed strike towards the bottom corner, but Bravo makes a comfortable save and quickly punts the ball up the park.
89'
Well, what a waste from Sociedad. They take the corner kick short and take too long to get the ball into the box. Madrid are thankful and easily clear up the park.
88'
Nervous times for Real Madrid. Sociedad are enjoying a good period of possession in the opposition half and Carlos Vela's cross has been deflected out for a corner kick. The Santiago Bernabeu give a tense moan.
87'
The way this match has went you would not put it past Madrid banging in another goal. Or, indeed, Sociedad running up the pitch and equalising.
85'
L. Modrić enters the game and replaces M. Özil.
Madrid are looking to see out the match now. They are a lot more patient in their play in midfield and it looks like Modric has been introduced to just keep the ball in the final third.
84'
Real Madrid make their final change of the match as Luka Modric is introduced into the action in place of Mesut Ozil.
82'
Cote enters the game and replaces De la Bella.
Ronaldo is desperate for his hat-trick here, and he comes close again! He twists and turns on the edge of the box and drills a shot towards the top corner but it misses by a yard or so. A hungry Ronaldo is a dangerous Ronaldo!
80'
Lightning quick attack from Madrid! Essien bursts out of defence and plays the ball into Higuain, who threads a gorgeous pass through the middle of the Sociedad defence for Ronaldo. The Portuguese shows incredible pace to get on the end of the pass and powers a strike towards the near post, but Bravo makes the save and puts the ball out for a corner!
79'
Dani Estrada gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
Minute
Description
78'
Sociedad receive a blow as Dani Estrada receives his second yellow card of the match for blocking Ronaldo on the left wing! Very silly from the right-back! 10 men each for the last 10 minutes or so.
77'
Something to tell the grandkids for Xabi Prieto! A hat-trick at Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid!
76'
Xabi Prieto has scored a goal for Real Sociedad! Assist by G. Castro.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR REAL SOCIEDAD! Much better from Montanier's men!! Xabi Prieto breaks through on goal and expertly places the ball off the post and in from the right-hand side! We are in for a grandstand finish here! 4-3!
74'
G. Higuaín enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Jose Mourinho makes his second change of the match as Karim Benzema comes off for Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine enters the action to rapturous applause from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
73'
Elustondo enters the game and replaces Zurutuza.
72'
Sociedad have nobody but themselves to blame for going further behind. They have had a man advantage since the 5th minute but their lack of ambition has seen a fantastic opportunity to get one over on Madrid go to waste.
70'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!! Ronaldo smashes a free kick off the bar and in from the inside left channel!! Very poor goalkeeping from Bravo but the attempt had plenty of venom in it! 4-2!
69'
Xabi Alonso gets yellow.
Xabi Alonso receives a booking after protesting at the referee's inability to yellow card Mikel Gonzalez after the Sociedad man went in very late on Ronaldo. Mourinho is off his seat and the crowd are also feeling aggrieved. Free kick to Madrid in a great position.
68'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! Benzema shows excellent strength to bounce off the challenge of the defender and clips a fantastic pass over the top of the Sociedad defence for Ronaldo, who shows composure to direct the ball past Bravo! 3-2!
66'
Real Madrid looking the more likely at the moment. Sociedad have had the man advantage for the majority of the game but are not showing enough ambition in attacking areas.
64'
Ronaldo is slightly guilty of trying to force the issue at the moment. The Portuguese had team-mates in better positions on the edge of the box but he opts to lash a shot at goal from 25 yards that goes harmlessly past the post. Frustration definitely creeping in for Madrid.
62'
This is usually the time that Jose Mourinho starts to make changes. We already know he has had to make one forced change with Casillas coming on. He has a raft of attacking talent on the bench, with Kaka, Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria, and, ofcourse, Higuain, all available.
61'
Madrid easily get rid of the free kick into the area.
60'
A break in play at the moment as Khedira and Vela are currently down injured. The Mexican was clattered in a challenge by Essien and Sociedad have a free kick in a useful position down the left.
58'
The crowd gives a loud cheer as Gonzalo Higuain makes his way from the dugout to warm up on the sidelines. Will we see his long-awaited return from injury tonight? He hasn't played since being injured against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League a couple of months ago.
57'
G. Castro enters the game and replaces D. Ifrán.
First change of the match comes from Real Sociedad. Diego Ifran comes off for Chory Castro. We may see Griezmann or Vela switch into the centre-forward role now.
56'
Ronaldo steps up and smashes a 30-yard free kick towards goal but this time the ball sails wide of the right-hand post and does not bother Claudio Bravo. Not his best.
54'
Great play by Carvalho! The centre-back finds himself playing in a left winger position but rides a few challenges to get to the byline and whips a cross to the back post. De la Bella manages to clear the ball out for a Madrid throw in.
52'
Ronaldo picks up the ball in his own half and burst through the middle at pace. He slides the ball out to the right for Benzema and looks for the return pass inside the box but the Frenchman is unable to pick out his team-mate and Bravo comes out to collect for Sociedad.
51'
Zurutuza gets yellow.
50'
Good covering from Estrada. Khedira found space on the right-hand side and floated a cross into the box. The pass looked destined for the head of Ronaldo but the Sociedad right-back came in with an important block to clear the ball out of the box.
48'
Sociedad start the second period enjoying the possession in the midfield, much like the first half. Madrid clearly look to be set up for the counterattack. Let's see how the tactic plays out as they did have some joy in the first half from it.
46'
The second half is under way! Let's hope we see more of the same in terms of drama!
45' +1
Benzema hits the post! So unlucky! Madrid counterattack at blistering pace and the ball comes to the Frenchman on the left. He cuts inside and curls the ball to the far corner, only to see his attempt crash off the woodwork!
44'
Cristiano Ronaldo gets yellow.
Ronaldo is the latest player to enter the book. Carlos Vela counterattacks at pace through the middle but is unceremoniously shoved over by the stand-in Madrid captain. He shakes his head but it was a deserved booking.
42'
Bravo spectacularly beats away Ronaldo's free kick! That may have been one for the cameras but he got the job done! The ball is cleared away to safety.
41'
Iñigo Martínez gets yellow.
Inigo Martinez is shown a yellow card for a deliberate block on Ronaldo outside the box. This is in the territory of the Portuguese.
40'
Xabi Prieto has scored a goal for Real Sociedad!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR SOCIEDAD!! Fortuitous equaliser! Carlos Vela's shot deflects perfectly into the path of Xabi Prieto inside the box, who expertly finishes into the bottom left corner! The visitors back on level terms!
39'
Sociedad look to have been revitalised by going a goal behind. They are utilising the flanks better and are whipping dangerous balls into the area. Madrid's makeshift back four not looking at all solid at the moment.
37'
Khedira has been at the heart of all things good for Madrid so far. He set up Benzema's goal with a lovely pass and now has put his team ahead with a superb finish. His general work rate and attitude has been excellent, also.
35'
S. Khedira has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Ricardo Carvalho.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!! The ball breaks to the edge of the area and Carvalho scuffs a shot towards goal. The ball eventually reaches Khedira inside the box who terrifically back-heels the ball into the corner! 2-1!
33'
Good save from Bravo!! Sami Khedira finds himself in an advanced position in the Sociedad box and attempts to clips the ball towards goal but the keeper' of the away side saves with his chest!
31'
Sociedad should be doing better with the possession that they are having. Their is a distinct lack of urgency going forward despite the fact that they have the numbers advantage. Madrid just easing their way back into contention here.
29'
Speculative attempt from Griezmann. Xabi Prieto collects a quick free kick and picks out the Frenchman on the edge of the box, but his right-footed strike dribbles harmlessly wide. Casillas was not troubled.
27'
Mesut Ozil just cannot get into the match at the moment. Varane fed the German with an excellent pass through the middle put a poor touch allowed Zurutuza to come in and intercept the ball.
26'
Dani Estrada gets yellow.
25'
Dani Estrada is given Sociedad's second booking of the match after going in very late on Ronaldo down the left-hand side. Deserved yellow card.
23'
Essien is going to have to put in some shift down the right-hand side tonight. In the absence of Callejon he is going to have to act as an auxiliary winger when Madrid are attacking.
21'
It is interesting how much losing a player can affect the mentality of a side. Madrid are allowing Sociedad all the possession in the world and are sitting very deep inside their own half. The away side are having more of the ball than any other team usually has at Santiago Bernabeu. Well, except Barcelona, ofcourse!
19'
Ronaldo bursts down the left-hand side but is unable to get the better out of Sociedad right-back, Dani Estrada. The Portuguese has been fairly quiet so far, but so have Madrid as a whole after the equaliser.
18'
Sociedad are making the most out of the man advantage at the moment. Zurutuza and Pardo in particular are enjoying dictating the play in the middle of the park. More space is being created in midfield due to the absence of Callejon.
16'
Superb defending from Michael Essien. Pardo clipped a superb pass over the top of the Madrid defence that looked destined for the feet of Griezmann but the former Chelsea man recovered brilliantly to dive and head the ball back to Casillas.
15'
Mikel González gets yellow.
Make sure to get your thoughts, feelings, and predictions on the match on to the chat section of our Live Match Centre. We already have plenty of action to talk about!
13'
Well, we can all take a short breath now after that sensational opening. We may be in for a cracker tonight, folks! Interestingly, Ronaldo has kept the captain's armband for Real Madrid despite Casillas' entrance.
11'
In the midst of all the drama it was Jose Callejon who was withdrawn so that Casillas could enter the action.
10'
Mistake by Casillas!! The goalkeeper clears the ball straight to the feet of Xabi Prieto, but the Sociedad captain fails to capitalise and curls the ball into the side-netting!
9'
Penalty goal scored by Xabi Prieto for Real Sociedad!
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR REAL SOCIEDAD!! Xabi Prieto sends Casillas the wrong way and slots the ball into the right corner! 1-1!
8'
Casillas enters the game and replaces José Callejón.
A small break in play as Casillas gets ready in the dugout. He wasn't ready to come on so early in the match. He probably didn't think he would even see action tonight!
6'
Adán goes off after a red card!
This is a sensational start to the match. The big news story of the day was that Casillas was once again dropped to the bench by Mourinho, but in dramatic circumstances, we will see the Madrid captain. His first task is to try and save a penalty kick.
5'
Penalty to Real Sociedad and Antonio Adan is sent off! We will see Iker Casillas!! Carlos Vela takes the ball around the Madrid goalkeeper but has his heels clipped! That looked very harsh on Adan!
3'
That is exactly what Real Madrid needed to calm all the pre-match nerves. There is certainly a sense of uncertainty at Santiago Bernabue these days, but an early goal should ease the tension in the stands slightly.
2'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by S. Khedira.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!! The home side come flying out of the blocks! Khedira slips a defence-splitting pass through the middle for Benzema, who turns sharply and expertly slots home into the bottom left corner! 1-0!
1'
The match at Santiago Bernabeu is under way!
Good evening folks! Welcome to Goal.com's LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu!
La Liga returns from its Winter Break this weekend, so we hope that the competition comes back with a bang!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the game this evening. Let's hope we see an entertaining match with plenty of goalmouth action!
THE TEAMS ARE IN.
Some massive news in regards to the Madrid team again. Iker Casillas is once again on the bench.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Adan; Essien, Varane, Carvalho, Arbeloa; Alonso, Khedira; Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
This is how Sociedad will be lining up tonight: Bravo, Estrada, Mikel, Inigo, De la Bella; Zurutuza, Pardo; Prieto, Vela, Griezmann; Ifran.
Half time in Santiago Bernabeu. The referee calls time on a breathtaking first half. Iker Casillas was made to enter the action as a substitute after Antonio Adan's harsh sending off in the opening minutes. Benzema and Khedira are on target for Madrid but a double from Xabi Prieto sees the teams go in level at the break. Join us in 15 minutes for the second half!
Full time in Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid dig deep and come out 4-3 winners despite being a man down for the vast majority of the match. Iker Casillas was left on the bench again but was forced to enter the action after just five minutes when Antonio Adan was given his marching orders. Xabi Prieto has netted a memorable hat-trick for Sociedad but goals Benzema, Khedira, and a double from Ronaldo have sealed a truly vital win for Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid. Thank you for joining us on Goal.com! See you next time!
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