Ronaldo double helps down spirited Real Sociedad

Busy Rulli

Real Madrid started strongly forcing visiting keeper Geronimo Rulli into a string of smart saves. The Argentine denied Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema inside the opening 10 minutes, but La Real always looked dangerous on the counter.

Keylor Navas had to be quick off his line to deny Imanol Agirretxe in a one-on-one after 13 minutes, the two colliding in the area. The visitors’ number nine, his side’s leading scorer with 12 goals, was unable to continue and had to be substituted.

#LaLigaNonStop | 0-0 | @Cristiano golpea el penalti por encima del larguero (24'). pic.twitter.com/70Rnj1zXgy

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) December 30, 2015

Missed penalty

Madrid continued to dominate and were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute when Benzema was fouled in the area. Ronaldo stepped up to take the spotkick but blasted his effort over the crossbar.

Despite the intense pressure on Rulli’s goal, Eusebio Sacristan’s men created some chances, Jonathas coming closest to scoring in the first period when he headed just wide of the post.

Second chance

Ronaldo was given the chance to make amends for his earlier penalty miss, when Madrid were awarded a second just before halftime. Gareth Bale’s cross struck Yuri on the arm, and the Portugal forward calmly placed his second wide of Rulli.

The visitors suffered a double setback with midfielder Sergio Canales having to be stretchered off with a knee injury and the game looked to be swinging the way of the hosts.

49' 1-1 #LaLigaNonStop pic.twitter.com/EZizqKWMds

— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) December 30, 2015

Spectacular Bruma

The second half was only five minutes old when Real Sociedad levelled in spectacular style. The ball was worked across the area to substitute Bruma who curled a superb shot into the top corner, his first goal in the Liga BBVA.

The Portuguese forward was clean through on goal soon after but was denied a second by Navas in the one-on-one, and Rulli matched his opposite number for quick reflexes, as he got down low to push away a long-range shot from Bale.

FT: Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad (@Cristiano 43’ (p), 67’; @Lucasvazquez91 86’; Bruma 49’) #RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/0wADCqxXh5

— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) December 30, 2015

Ronaldo again

Madrid’s leading scorer settled nerves at the Bernabeu when he caught Marcelo’s corner full on the volley and buried a low shot inside the far post in the 67th minute. Ronaldo took his league tally to 14.   

The result was put beyond doubt when Bale crossed for substitute Lucas Vazquez, who brought the ball down with a great touch and slotted the ball past Rulli four minutes from time. It was the former youth team player’s first Liga BBVA goal with Real Madrid.