Real Madrid rally again to beat Sociedad, extend perfect start in Spanish league

Real Madrid remained perfect in the Spanish league after it rallied again for a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Federico Valverde and Joselu scored early in the second half at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to give Madrid its fifth straight victory to start the league season.

The only team still with a perfect record, Madrid has a two-point lead over second-place Barcelona, which has won four in a row after opening with a draw.

Ander Barrenetxea put Sociedad ahead with a goal from inside the area only five minutes into the match after a cross by Japan forward Takefusa Kubo. Valverde equalized for Madrid less than a minute into the second half with a one-timer from outside the area, and Joselu scored the go-ahead goal in the 60th with a header off a cross by Fran Garcia, who also assisted in Valverde’s goal.

It was the third time that Madrid had to come from behind to pick up a win this season. It had also trailed early in victories against Almeria and Getafe.

“The good thing is that we have been able to overcome these early goals, but we have to analyze it and work to try to keep that from happening,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Sociedad drew its first three matches but was coming off a win against Granada.

New Madrid signing Jude Bellingham had entered the match as one of the hottest players in the league, having scored five goals in the first four matches. The 20-year-old England midfielder nearly got his sixth goal with a diving close-range header that required a difficult save by Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Ramiro near the end of match.

Madrid, still without injured forward Vinícius Júnior, will be back at the Bernabeu on Wednesday to open its Champions League campaign in a group-stage match against Union Berlin.