Real Madrid increased on Sunday night their cushion from Barcelona and Sevilla at the top of the La Liga standings to four points, behind a 3-0 win over Real Sociedad that was the product of ruthlessly efficient counter-attacking football.
The hosts lacked pace during the opening 30 minutes when Sociedad appeared to be the better team at the Bernabeu, but a brilliant pass by Ronaldo in Madrid’s first structured counter-attack changed everything.
Kovacic was at the receiving end to score his first goal in the Spanish La Liga and put the hosts ahead. It was also, it seems, the signal for Madrid to switch gears.
Zidane’s men wasted no opportunity from then on to run in the open floor and as Sociedad enjoyed 58% of possession, Madrid scored the second on 51 minutes as Ronaldo and Kovacic reversed roles and the Portuguese got his goal.
With Sociedad risking more and more up front, Madrid’s third felt like a matter of time and after Morata, who came on for Benzema, saw a first goal being disallowed, he headed home a beautiful cross by Vazquez in the 82nd minute and put the match to rest.