Arda Guler scored on his first La Liga start as Real Madrid closed in on the title with victory at Real Sociedad.
The highly-rated 19-year-old Turkey midfielder struck with Madrid’s first attempt on goal midway through the first half, turning in a cross.
Carlo Ancelotti had made a raft of changes after last weekend’s win in El Clasico, and it was Real Sociedad who started strongly.
But they couldn’t turn dominance into goals as the hosts were frustrated.
Takefusa Kubo thought he had immediately cancelled out Guler’s opener but his strike was ruled out for offside.
The second half was more scrappy but Real Madrid did what they needed to do to move 14 points clear at the top, before second-placed Barcelona host Valencia on Monday.
With five games remaining, Real Madrid need four more points to cement the title.
Line-ups
Real Sociedad
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Remiro
- 2OdriozolaSubstituted forElustondoat 75′minutes
- 5ZubeldiaBooked at 70mins
- 24Le NormandBooked at 40minsSubstituted forAndré Silvaat 89′minutes
- 25Galán
- 4Zubimendi
- 14Kubo
- 22TurrientesSubstituted forZakharyanat 67′minutes
- 8MerinoBooked at 87mins
- 7BarrenetxeaSubstituted forBeckerat 75′minutes
- 10Oyarzabal
Substitutes
- 6Elustondo
- 11Becker
- 12Zakharyan
- 13Marrero
- 15González
- 16Olasagasti
- 19Sadiq
- 20Pacheco
- 21André Silva
- 23Méndez
- 30Ayesa
- 39Aramburu
Real Madrid
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
- 2Carvajal
- 3Militão
- 6NachoBooked at 88mins
- 20GarcíaBooked at 56minsSubstituted forCamavingaat 76′minutes
- 18TchouaméniBooked at 83mins
- 10ModricSubstituted forVázquezat 84′minutes
- 24GülerBooked at 15minsSubstituted forVinícius Júniorat 68′minutes
- 21DíazSubstituted forRüdigerat 76′minutes
- 19CeballosSubstituted forValverdeat 68′minutes
- 14Joselu
Substitutes
- 5Bellingham
- 7Vinícius Júnior
- 8Kroos
- 12Camavinga
- 13Lunin
- 15Valverde
- 17Vázquez
- 22Rüdiger
- 30González Pérez
- Referee:
- José Luis Munuera Montero
- Attendance:
- 37,109
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Real Sociedad 0, Real Madrid 1.