Football: Sociedad comeback stuns Real Madrid

Real Sociedad's defender Inigo Martinez celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match against Real Madrid at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on August 31, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Real Sociedad's defender Inigo Martinez celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match against Real Madrid at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on August 31, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP

MADRID (AFP) - Real Sociedad produced a stunning fightback from 2-0 down to beat European champions Real Madrid 4-2 on Sunday, Aug 31, 2014.

Meanwhile, bitter rivals Barcelona made it two wins in as many games under Luis Enrique with a late winner at Villarreal.

Madrid were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and departed Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso, but still looked on course for a comfortable evening when they flew into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 11 minutes thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.

However, Inigo Martinez and David Zurutuza levelled for the hosts before the break and Zurutuza and Carlos Vela sealed a much-needed win for under-fire Sociedad boss Jagoba Arrasate.

"What happened was very unusual, especially after the first 15 minutes. After that everything was negative, we were horrible in every facet of the game," said Madrid captain Iker Casillas.

Meanwhile, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti placed the blame for the defeat on his players' attitude after going in front.

"It is not easy to evaluate this game because there were two games. In the first half an hour we played with quality, pace and concentration and the other hour we played very badly.

"Possibly we thought the game was already finished. We conceded fouls, corners, and Sociedad got back into the game.

"What can I say? We are very sorry because I didn't like that the team played in that way for an hour."

Sociedad had lost their opening game at newly-promoted Eibar and been dumped out of the Europa League by Russian side FK Krasnodar in midweek and appeared down on their luck after another slow start.

Ramos rose highest to power home Toni Kroos' corner to open the scoring before Bale left Gorka Elustondo trailing with a neat nutmeg and slotted into the bottom corner.

But it was the hosts who crucially got the third goal as Martinez slammed home at the far post from Xabi Prieto's flick on.

Zurutuza then levelled four minutes before the break as he powered home Alberto de la Bella's pinpoint cross from the left.

Sociedad started the second period the stronger and they got their reward 25 minutes from time when Zuruztuza again timed his run into the box perfectly to connect with Prieto's low cross to the near post.

Madrid's humiliation was complete 10 minutes later when substitute Carlos Vela appeared to control the ball with his hand before spinning to fire into the top corner.

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