Sunday's La Liga clash at the Anoeta pitted Real Sociedad against Real Madrid.
Madrid raced into an early two-goal lead through Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.
However, Sociedad responded with goals from Inigo Martinez and David Zurutuza to leave the scores level at the break.
Zurutuza had his second for the home team after 65 minutes, before Carlos Vela made it 4-2 15 minutes from time on an incredible night for Sociedad.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's La Liga coverage for the new season continues from the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Real Madrid. Sociedad lost to Eibar last weekend, but Madrid opened with a 2-0 win over Cordoba. Right, no time like the present, let me bring you the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
SOCIEDAD: Zubikarai; Zaluda, Lopez, Elustondo, De la Bella; Granero, Prieto, Bergara, Zurutuza; Chory; Agirretxe
MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Benzema, Bale
So there we have it. No Sergio Canales or Carlos Vela in the Sociedad XI, with Chory Castro acting as the support to lone striker Agirretxe. Madrid, meanwhile, are without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo. Isco comes into the XI in midfield, with James Rodriguez joining Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in attack.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Madrid have won four of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a draw. Madrid were 4-0 winners in the corresponding match last season and also won 5-1 at the Bernabeu. In total, Los Blancos have scored an incredible 21 times in their last five meetings with the Basque outfit.
As touched upon, Sociedad's season started in disappointment last weekend as they went down 1-0 at newly-promoted Eibar. They finished seventh last season, 11 points off the top four and could be in for a difficult season after selling their top scorer Antoine Griezmann. Madrid, meanwhile, who finished third last season, opened with a 2-0 win over Cordoba courtesy of goals from Benzema and Ronaldo.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time to get the action underway and it is the home side that kick things off at the Anoeta.
Confident start from Madrid as Modric combines with James before attempting to feed Benzema, but James is hacked to the ground by Inigo Martinez. You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to ride out the opening 10 or 15 minutes here. They will not be full of confidence after losing to Eibar last week.
Half-chance for Madrid as Benzema collects a high ball on the edge of the box before feeding Bale, but Zaldua just does enough to force the Welshman out of play. Not too much from Sociedad going forward thus far.
GOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Madrid (Ramos)
Sensational header from Ramos as the centre-back rises above everyone inside the box before arrowing his effort into the back of the net. Brilliant start from Los Blancos and it had been coming.
Not too much for the Sociedad supporters to get excited about in the opening eight minutes, with Madrid in total control. Modric threatens with another through pass towards Bale, but Martinez makes the challenge. You just get the feeling that Sociedad need to score the next goal if they are to take something tonight.
Dangerous position for Madrid as Granero brings Marcelo to the ground outside the box...
... CROSSBAR! Ramos takes the resulting free kick, but his effort hits the crossbar. Ramos has been just sensational in the opening 10 minutes of this match. What a strike!
GOAL! Sociedad 0-2 Madrid (Bale)
Oh my word that is some goal! Madrid have their second as Bale collects a pass from Modric before poking the ball through the legs of Elustondo and finishing in the bottom corner. Bale is off the mark in La Liga.
Sociedad are really, really struggling here and they simply cannot keep the ball under pressure from Los Blancos, who look in the mood. It is 2-0, but it could be three or four. I suspect that we have not seen the last of the goals as the team in pink continue to attack with pace and indeed numbers.
Slightly better from Sociedad in the last couple of minutes, with the likes of Castro and Prieto seeing more of the ball in the final third. A half-chance does arrive when Zurutuza breaks into the box, but his effort hits Marcelo. The crowd have been shell-shocked by the opening 16 minutes at the Anoeta.
BOOKING! Granero goes into the book for Sociedad for a poor challenge on Carvajal.
End-to-end football in the last couple of minutes, with Madrid threatening through Bale, who could not slide a pass into James. The home side were down the other end with Castro moments later, but the Spaniard ran into Pepe. In Madrid's next attack, Benzema is just denied by the Sociedad stopper.
Another half-chance for Madrid as Benzema finds Marcelo inside the Sociedad box, but the Brazilian cannot find the bottom corner after turning inside the box. Madrid are so dangerous in the final third.
The referee has been called into action on a number of occasions in the last few moments, with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Sociedad's latest free kick is taken quickly down the right, but Castro is in an offside position. Still 2-0 Madrid with 23 minutes of the first period played.
CHANCE! Almost three for Madrid as Marcelo swings his left foot at a low cross, but the Sociedad stopper is across to make a brilliant save.
CHANCE! Ramos comes close to scoring his second from a corner, but fires his header just over the crossbar. Los Blancos are threatening to run away with this match. It is just incredible.
CHANCE! Sociedad come close to opening their tally as Granero meets a loose ball inside the box, but Ramos comes from nowhere to make a sensational challenge. Wonderful defending!
In fairness to Sociedad, they have responded since falling 2-0 behind. Had Ramos not produced a wonderful piece of defending then it would be 2-1 and game on. Little over 15 minutes of the half to play.
CHANCE! Madrid come close to their third as Modric feed Kroos inside the Sociedad box, but the German is denied by a wonderful save. Chances at both ends in this incredible match.
Well, this could be about 6-1 after 35 minutes. Sociedad simply have to score the next goal or it is curtains. Madrid will not concede three times without failing to score this evening, of that I am certain. Sociedad force the issue with a corner from the left, but Agirretxe fires over the crossbar on the spin.
GOAL! Sociedad 1-2 Madrid (Martinez)
Sociedad are back in this as Martinez meets a flick on from Prieto before finishing into the bottom corner. The centre-back could not miss from close range and it is very much game on here.
BOOKING! Carvajal goes into the book for bringing Prieto to the ground.
Somehow Sociedad are back in this match with little over five minutes of the first period remaining. However, I would be astounded if Madrid had finished in terms of goals. Carvajal threatens with a low cross from the right, but James is forced into midfield by Granero, who has been everywhere for his team.
GOAL! Sociedad 2-2 Madrid (Zurutuza)
Well, well, well! What do we have here! Sociedad level as Zurutuza heads a De la Bella cross into the back of the net from close range. What a comeback from the home team, just amazing.
How on earth are Madrid not winning this match? Ancelotti cannot believe what he is seeing at the moment. His side are level, but should have been out of sight after breezing into a two-goal lead early on.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the latter stages of the half, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. We will have two added minutes at the Anoeta.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Ramos to score his second as the Spaniard meets another free kick from James, but his header just drops wide of the post.
HALF-TIME: Sociedad 2-2 Madrid
And breathe! What a first half of football! Madrid raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Ramos and Bale, but Sociedad have responded through Martinez and Zurutuza. In truth, the away team should have been out of sight in the opening 20 minutes, but that is football. More of the same in the second period please.
STATS! The two teams shared the possession in the first period, but Madrid had more opportunities - hitting the target with four of their 10 attempts. Sociedad, meanwhile, had seven attempts, two of which were on target. There have been two cards, meanwhile, in a highly-charged half.
BENCH WATCH! Sociedad have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Pardo, Canales and Vela. Madrid, however, have limited attacking options in reserve, but Khedira and Illarramendi could be used to tighten up the middle of the park.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Will the tempo be as high as the first?! It was sensational. Right, Sociedad get the action underway at the Anoeta.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not a surprise. However, I suspect that changes could occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. End-to-end start to the second period, with both teams committing numbers in the final third. What a half we could have on our hands here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sociedad to score their third as Prieto delivers a sensational cross onto the head of Agirretxe, but Casillas is across to make a superb save with his foot.
End-to-end football in the early stages of the second period, with both teams forcing the issue. Zurutuza attempts to slide a low pass beyond the Madrid defence, but Ramos does enough to clear. Madrid are down the other end with Isco moments later, but the Spanish midfielder runs out of space at the vital moment.
De la Bella continues to cause Madrid problems with his crossing ability from the left, but Ramos has been strong in the air this evening. A loose pass from Pepe puts his back four in trouble moments later, but Marcelo is across on the cover. Sociedad look the more threatening side with 54 minutes played.
Another half-chance for the home side as De la Bella drives into the Madrid box before feeding Agirretxe, who curls one towards the top corner, but Ramos is across to make the block. Sociedad are preparing a change, with Canales on the touchline. Still 2-2 with 56 minutes on the clock at Anoeta.
Madrid threaten with a corner from the left, but Martinez is on hand to clear at the near post. Eventually Modric has possession outside the box, but Bergara makes the block. Little over 30 to play here.
SUBS! Two changes for Sociedad as Vela and Canales replace Agirretxe and Castro.
Madrid are seemingly preparing to introduce Khedira, who would prove more protection in the middle of the park. It is Sociedad that continue to force the issue, with Vela immeidately involved alongside Canales, but the latter's effort is blocked by Marcelo. Madrid are struggling to get out of their half here.
Sociedad want a red card for Carvajal here as the Madrid right-back, who has already been booked, catches Vela from behind, but the referee is not interested. Sensible from the official. The resulting free kick is delivered by Canales, but Casillas just about does enough to palm clear under huge pressure.
GOAL! Sociedad 3-2 Madrid (Zurutuza)
The turnaround is complete! Sociedad move ahead in the tie as Zurutuza scores his second from close range after meeting a low cross from Canales. This place has gone absolutely bonkers.
Did anyone have 3-2 Sociedad when Madrid were 2-0 ahead? No? Me neither! Little over 20 minutes remaining and the home side lead in what has been a stunning evening of football at the Anoeta.
Another half-chance for the home team as Canales finds some space outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Madrid have no response at the moment as Sociedad continue to force the issue.
Half-chance for the away side as Isco breaks into the Sociedad half before feeding Benzema, but his effort is straight at Martinez. Poor from the Frenchman, who had options in the final third. It appears that Khedira will soon enter the field for Madrid. That is 10 minutes too late for me!
Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Prieto fells Bale just outside the box...
... Bale takes the resulting free kick, but Martinez is out to make the block. Khedira is imminent.
SUB! Indeed the change is made as Khedira replaces Modric.
Vela threatens for Sociedad after breaking into the Madrid half, but the Mexican cannot find Canales. Both players have made a serious impact for the home team in the second period. Madrid are preparing to make another change here, with Arbeloa getting ready for action.
GOAL! Sociedad 4-2 Madrid (Vela)
WOW! Sociedad have their fourth as Vela collects a loose ball inside the Madrid box before flashing his effort into the top corner. Game over?! Would you believe it.
SUB! Arbeloa replaces Carvajal for Madrid.
The Anoeta is jumping at the moment as Sociedad close on what would be a sensational three points. Madrid are not finished, however, and break forward with Bale, but the Welshman cannot feed Benzema inside the box. Little over 10 minutes and Los Blancos need to score twice to take something from this match.
Madrid have another free kick in a dangerous area as Elustondo brings Isco to the ground. The resulting set piece is delivered by Kroos, but Martinez is on hand to clear at the near post once more.
SUB! Final change for Sociedad as Prieto is replaced by Mikel Gonzalez.
Madrid are now seeing more of the ball, but are still really struggling to create chances in the final third. Benzema has been poor, with the Frenchman not offering a threat in behind. You just get the feeling that the drama is not over here, however. One goal for Madrid and it is very much game on.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Madrid to find the back of the net as Khedira meets a corner from the left, but his header just moves high of the crossbar. So close for the German.
Sociedad have just started to retreat into a defensive shape, which is not much of a surprise at this stage. Madrid should have been out of sight in the first period this evening, but have been made to pay.
Half-chance for Madrid as James drives to the edge of the Sociedad box before striking on goal, but the Sociedad stopper is on hand to make the save. Still 4-2 Sociedad.
POST! Wonderful chance for Madrid as Benzema spins inside the Sociedad box before striking towards goal, but his effort hits the outside of the post. What a miss!
FULL-TIME: Sociedad 4-2 Madrid
Wow, just wow. What a night of football. Sociedad claim all the points after coming from two goals behind to beat Real Madrid 4-2. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
