Real Madrid pull off second-half comeback to extend winning streak

Real Madrid returned to the top of the La Liga table on Sunday night, coming from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Ander Barrenetxea put Real Sociedad ahead early in the game, but Joselu and Fede Valverde netted one each after the break to lead Real Madrid to a second-half comeback.

The first half was an entertaining back-and-forth affair, where both teams wasted several quality chances. Real Sociedad started strong and took the lead just five minutes in, through Barrenetxea. The Real Sociedad prodigy was initially denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga but then pounced on the rebound to send the ball into the back of the net.

A stunned Real Madrid saw former player Takefusa Kubo find the back of the net a few minutes later, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

This overruled Kubo goal served as a wake-up call for Los Blancos, with Joselu hitting the crossbar. Rodrygo missed another chance before Kepa pulled off a huge save to deny Mikel Merino just after the half an hour mark.

Real Madrid hit the ground running after the break, with Valverde levelling the scores with a strike from the edge of the box just two minutes into the second half.

The hosts managed to turn the game around, with a lively Fran Garcia, who teed up Valverde for the equaliser, pulling off a precise cross and Joselu heading home on the hour mark.

Real Sociedad pushed for a leveller but struggled to produced clear-cut chances. Carlo Ancelotti's side missed a big opportunity to put the game to bed, when Valverde's effort went just wide with four minutes to go.

Jude Bellingham almost got his name on the scoresheet in stoppage time, with Remiro producing an extraordinary save to deny the England international.

This means that Real Madrid remain top of the table with 15 points, while Real Sociedad, who suffered their first defeat of the season, sit 11th with six points.