La Real fell to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu (4-1). The realistas took an early lead but the Whites, who were far superior, produced an impressive fightback. Illarra was on the starting lineup and played 64 minutes before being replaced by Zubimendi.

The txuri urdin got off to a bright start in one of the most difficult scenarios of the league. Carvajal committed a foul on Silva and la Real were penalty awarded. Oyarzabal, always reliable from the penalty spot, made no mistake to score the first of the night. From this point on, the home side clearly dominated the game, taking control of the ball and pressing hard. Imanol’s side were able to thwart the Whites’ plans, but in just three minutes and just before the break, Real Madrid cut the deficit. First, with a left-footed shot by Camavinga from outside the area which slightly grazed Illarra and ended up entering the goal. Shortly after, they added a second with another left-footed shot by Modrić that was unstoppable. In the blink of an eye, we were not in the lead.

La Real gave it their all after the break, but the danger continued to come from the home side. Benzema came close to scoring the third with a shot from the edge of the area, but Remiro denied it. The Frenchman made no mistake in the 42’, but the VAR disallowed the goal due to Rodrygo's offside. The VAR came into action again minutes later to correct a foul and determine that it had happened inside the area. Then, Benzema converted from the penalty spot and added the third for the home side. Ten minutes before the final whistle, Asensio scored the fourth and put the game to bed.

It is time to recharge our batteries in a week in which, for the first time in the last month, we will not play a midweek match. The European options are still intact and we will continue to fight for it. We now turn our attentions to Sunday’s encounter against Deportivo Alavés at the Reale Arena. Aupa Real!

- Match stats:

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal (Lucas V., min. 84), E. Militão, Alaba, F. Mendy, Camavinga, Casemiro, Modrić (D. Ceballos, min. 82), Vini Jr. (Marcelo, min. 82), Rodrygo (Asensio, min. 77) and Benzema (cap.) (Mariano, min. 84).

Real Sociedad: A. Remiro, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Pacheco (Rafael, min. 46), Gorosabel, Zaldua (Aritz, min. 64), Illarra (cap.) (Zubimendi, min. 64), Silva (Djouahra, min. 46), Merino, Oyarzabal and Isak (Sorloth, min. 80).

Goals: 0-1: Oyarzabal (p.), min. 10; 1-1: Camavinga, min. 40; 2-1: Modrić, min. 43; 3-1: Benzema (p.), min. 76; 4-1: Asensio, min. 79

Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked Zaldua and Merino for Real Sociedad.

- Match report by RealSociedad.com