By Daily Sports on May 13, 2019
Real Madrid slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday as Zinedine Zidane’s men confirmed third position in La Liga with their 11th loss of the campaign.
Zidane returned as manager in March after a nightmare run of form that resulted in Madrid’s title challenge falling away as well as elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Ajax. But Sunday’s defeat was the club’s third in Zidane’s second spell as manager, with the club having one more match to play, at home to Real Betis, in what has been a testing season.
Brahim Diaz gave Madrid the perfect start with a sensational solo strike on six minutes but Mikel Merino equalised with a left-footed effort that arrowed into the net.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Jesus Vallejo was sent off for handling the ball on the goal line, but Thibaut Courtois saved the resulting penalty from Willian Jose.
Madrid fell behind on 57 minutes when Joseba Zaldua headed home as Courtois lost his footing and Ander Barrenetxea made it 3-1 on 67 minutes.
Madrid started their penultimate match of the season off the back of a 3-2 win over Villarreal last time out and they were soon ahead thanks to former Manchester City man Diaz. After some neat skill down the left, Diaz cut in and finished superbly from an acute angle to put Madrid in front.
Sociedad were level on 25 minutes when Willian Jose found Merino, and he drove his effort past Courtois to peg Madrid back, before Zidane’s side went down to 10 men. Willian Jose met Mikel Oyarzabal’s pass and looked certain to make it 2-1, but Vallejo blocked his effort on the line.
Replays showed Vallejo handled the ball and the referee pointed to the spot before brandishing a red card but Sociedad could not capitalise. Willian Jose blasted the ball but Courtois guessed the right way and saved his spot kick. (ESPN)
•Photo shows Real Sociedad players
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 13, 2019
You may also like...
Tinubu to grace AFCON final – Motsepe
Ojih accuses HFN board of destroying Nigerian handball...
Okere retains Alukimba Table Tennis tournament title
Rangers spank Kano Pillars to put life into...
Fury and Usyk in astonishing 11-minute face-off
Rangers Management Pays Condolence Visit To Ogbuke’s Family...

Man City need to 'step up' as striker's goal run ends
'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal are team to beat
Aspinall requires further tests on eye injury in UK
Real Madrid impress but Vinicius tension grows - Clasico talking points
Rooney says struggling Liverpool lack leadership
NOC To Host FinalIOC Advanced Sport Management Course Module
4 Teams Lock Horns For N10m Tiger 5-Aside Football Battle In Awka
Nezianya, Odikpo, Balepo, Ndukuba, Chukwuleta For SWAN @60 Veterans’ Awards
Anambra FA Crisis: Igbokwe, 61 Years Old Football Administrator Protests Arrest, Detention
Gala European record thrills Osimhen
La Liga: 'I am enjoying football at Barca', Rashford eyes permanent move
CAF nomination thrills Flying Eagles captain
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,273 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,477 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,428 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,036 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,015 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,988 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,818 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,397 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,512 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,052 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,491 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,953 views)