Real Madrid began their 2016-17 La Liga campaign with a trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday night.
Gareth Bale, fresh from helping Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016, sent the away side into a second-minute lead at the Anoeta, before 20-year-old attacker Marco Asensio made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
Sociedad continued to huff and puff in the second period, but it was Real Madrid that grabbed the game's third goal as Bale notched his second in the fourth minute of additional time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.16pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Anoeta as Real Sociedad welcome Real Madrid on the opening weekend of the new campaign. It is a tough start for Real Madrid, but it is a match that Los Blancos will be expected to win. Let's hope for an entertaining 90 minutes!
6.19pmSociedad have actually only won one of their last 18 La Liga matches with Real Madrid – suffering 14 defeats in the process. They have also lost six of their last nine with Los Blancos in this particular stadium and suffered a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding clash during the 2015-16 campaign. It would be fair to say that the omens are not exactly great for the Basque side in tonight's contest.
6.22pmRight, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Who have Eusebio Sacristan and Zinedine Zidane selected on the opening weekend of the La Liga season? Let's have a look shall we!
6.25pmTEAMS:
SOC: *awaiting confirmation*
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos; Asensio, Morata, Bale
6.28pmStill waiting on the team news for Sociedad, but the Real Madrid XI is in. No Keylor Navas, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or Luka Modric in the Los Blancos team tonight, but Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos both start. Marco Asensio will make his first-team debut for the capital giants, while Alvaro Morata will lead the line after returning to the club from Juventus. Sergio Ramos skippers Real Madrid!
© Getty Images
6.32pmI shall discuss Sociedad and their current status a little bit later, but let's start with the visitors Real Madrid, who just fell short of Barcelona in the league on the final weekend of the season. A heroic last couple of months saw Zidane's side claw back serious ground on Barcelona to take the race to the final weekend, but Los Blancos finished one point shy of Barcelona in second place. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, finished two points behind Real Madrid in third. Can all three challenge for the crown once again?
6.35pmThere was plenty to admire about Real Madrid last season and Zidane's side ended the campaign with an 11th European Cup after overcoming rivals Atletico in the final once again. It is now four seasons since Los Blancos won La Liga, however, which represents their worst run since 1991-1994, when Barcelona landed four consecutive league crowns. Right, I have some team news for Sociedad...
6.38pmTEAMS:
SOC: Rulli; Zaldua, Yuri, I.Martinez, Gonzalez; Bergara, Illarra; Zurutuza, Oyarzabal, Concha; Juanmi
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos; Asensio, Morata, Bale
6.42pmSo there we have it. Interesting team news for Sociedad as Juanmi, who joined the club from Southampton this summer, leads the line on his debut for the Basque outfit. There is also a first start for 19-year-old attacker David Concha, who spent last season on loan with Numancia. Asier Illarramendi starts against his former club, while both Inigo Martinez and Mikel Gonzalez start at the back.
6.45pmReal Madrid began their preparations for the new campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the International Champions Cup on July 28, before overcoming Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the same competition. They then landed their first trophy of the new season on August 9 – recording a 3-2 victory over Europa League winners Sevilla in the European Super Cup.
6.48pmReal Madrid were actually moments away from losing 2-1 to Sevilla in Norway, but Sergio Ramos levelled in the 93rd minute, before Dani Carvajal made it 3-2 in the final minute of extra-time. It was a touch fortunate for Los Blancos, but they managed to land the crown once again. Their attention, however, must now switch to league matters as they look to get off to a positive start.
6.52pmSociedad have only lost on one of the last five occasions that they started a La Liga campaign at home, however, and Real Madrid have only won two of their last five opening La Liga fixtures on their travels. Barcelona already have three points after beating Real Betis 6-2 on Saturday night and therefore it is imperative that Zidane's side respond with a victory in tonight's match.
© AFP
6.55pmReal Madrid have thus far been very quiet in the transfer window, but Morata has re-joined from Juventus and is expected to provide Benzema with some serious competition this season. Jese Rodriguez has left for Paris Saint-Germain, but it is largely the same squad that ended last season, albeit with the introduction of Asensio, who impressed during a loan spell with Espanyol during the 2015-16 campaign.
6.58pmAs for Sociedad, Willian Jose, Juanmi and Tono have arrived during what has also been a quiet transfer window, while Jonathas and Alfred Finnbogason are among those that have departed. It would not be a surprise to see Eusebio bring in some fresh blood before the window slams shut.
7.02pmSociedad finished ninth in La Liga during the 2015-16 campaign, with a record of 13 wins, nine draws and 16 defeats seeing them gather 48 points. Imanol Agirretxe was actually their leading scorer in the league last season on 13 goals despite missing more than half of the campaign through injury. That is a strong indication of their troubles in the final third of the field.
7.05pm
🎥El vestuario ya está a punto para el partido. ¡A las 20:15 nos estrenamos! 💪🏻💪🏻 #RealSociedad pic.twitter.com/gPr1LZhNPv
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 21, 2016
7.08pmThe Basque outfit have played a lot of football since the end of last season and 10 pre-season friendlies should mean that they are ahead of Real Madrid in terms of match sharpness entering this fixture. In terms of their start to the campaign, they will take on Osasuna, Espanyol, Villarreal and Las Palmas in their four La Liga matches after tonight's opener with the European champions.
7.12pmA reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
SOC: Rulli; Zaldua, Yuri, I.Martinez, Gonzalez; Bergara, Illarra; Zurutuza, Oyarzabal, Concha; Juanmi
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos; Asensio, Morata, Bale
0 minKICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged - time for the football then! It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here...
2 min... Barcelona recorded a 6-2 win over Real Betis on Saturday. What have Real Madrid got on this opening weekend? No Ronaldo, no Benzema, no Kroos. However, Bale starts and will be looking to make a strong start to the new campaign. It is Real Madrid that are enjoying early possession of the ball.
2 minGOAL! Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid (Bale)
3 minOh my word! Real Madrid take the lead inside two minutes here as Carvajal delivers a wonderful cross onto the head of Bale, who leaps and powers his effort into the top corner. Some start!
5 minSociedad would have wanted to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without conceding in a bid to settle into the match, but Real Madrid have made a brilliant start to this clash and they lead in the early exchanges. It must be said that the pitch at the Anoeta is absolutely beautiful tonight.
7 minBetter from the home side in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy possession of the ball, but Real Madrid are pressing high up the field and look a team keen to make a point after watching Barcelona open their campaign with a strong performance. There is a good tempo to this game.
10 minYou just get the feeling that Sociedad need to score the next goal in this match if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. Yes, we are only 10 minutes in, but I would find it hard to back Sociedad at 2-0 down. Varane is enough that has made a very strong start for Los Blancos tonight.
12 minPossession football from Sociedad in the last few moments as they look to take the sting out of Real Madrid's passing, but the home side are struggling to threaten in the final third. Zurutuza gets wide and looks to deliver, but Kiko Casilla can collect and release the ball down towards Morata.
12 min
The #RealSociedad crowd is applauding the late Dalian Atkinson, who represented the club in 1990-91
— footballespana (@footballespana_) August 21, 2016
14 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Well, since Bale opened the scoring in just the second minute. Mikel had to be forced off the field for Sociedad after taking a knock to the head, but he is back with his team and has a fetching piece of tissue up his nose.
15 minCasilla comes a long, long way out his goal to sweep up as Sociedad threaten to break through!
16 minMorata does well to break into the Sociedad box, but the striker just picks the wrong option and Inigo Martinez is across to make the challenge. Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 16 minutes on the clock.
19 minSociedad have struggled to get going tonight, but there is goals in this team and you sense that Real Madrid will give them chances as play develops. Asensio has been impressive for Los Blancos on his first start and it appears that the 20-year-old will play a big role for Zidane this season.
20 minFirst sign of handbags here as Casemiro clashes with Zaldua. Nothing in it for me.
21 minSAVE! Kroos looks to pick out the bottom corner with a drive from the edge of the box, but Rulli is on hand to make a brilliant save. Very close to finding the back of the net there!
23 minNot too much in this game at the moment as both teams enjoy periods of possession, but Real Madrid will always be dangerous with a one-goal lead as they sit deep and play on the counter.
25 minCasemiro just needs to be a little bit careful here as he dives into Zurutuza and catches the attention of the referee once again. No yellow cards thus far, but we might well be close here.
27 minThe home supporters are doing their best to drive their team forward here, but in truth, they are struggling to make things work in the final third of the field. Real Madrid's tempo has dropped slightly, but they are still dangerous when they break with pace and power. Still 1-0 Los Blancos here.
29 minSociedad are enjoying a territorial advantage at the moment as they continue to work the ball into wide positions, but Ramos and Varane continue to clear up from the middle of the box.
31 minHalf-chance for the home side as Inigo Martinez breaks into the Real Madrid box and looks to square the ball, but there are no takers and Real Madrid can break down the other end.
32 minRamos rises to meet a Kroos free kick at the far post, but his effort is wide.
35 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Real Madrid still lead 1-0 courtesy of that early header from Bale, which seems an awful long time ago! Not too much has happened since then in terms of chances, with both teams guilty of some sloppy passing in the final third of the field.
37 minBOOKING! Mikel (Sociedad) is booked for a late challenge on Kroos.
38 minSAVE! Another chance for the away side as Morata drives into the Sociedad box before looking to pick out the far corner, but Rulli is once again on hand to make a smart save.
40 minKroos strikes over the crossbar from distance as Real Madrid try their luck once again.
40 minGOAL! Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid (Asensio)
41 minWhat a wonderful goal that is! Real Madrid have their second of the match at the Anoeta as Asensio beats the offside trap, collects a beautiful through pass and chips his effort over Rulli. It is a goal right out of the top drawer from a player that has the ability to reach the very top of this sport!
44 minAsensio was picked ahead of both Isco and James Rodriguez tonight and he has justified the selection. Sociedad are in all sorts of bother now as they face more pressure late in this first period.
45 min+1Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Sociedad 0-2 Real Madrid
8.01pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 at the Anoeta courtesy of goals from Bale and Anoeta. Sociedad have had bits and pieces in the final third, but there is no question that the away team deserve their two-goal lead at this stage of events.
8.06pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid enjoyed more of the possession (58%) in the first period, while they hit the target with four of their nine attempts on Rulli's goal. Sociedad, on the other hand, only managed one shot off target. Just the one yellow card to report - Oyarzabal in the 37th minute of action.
8.11pmBENCH WATCH! Sociedad boss Eusebio has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Pardo, Prieto, Willian Jose and Vela all capable of making a difference. Real Madrid's bench, meanwhile, includes Isco, James Rodriguez and Lucas Vasquez. Some options there!
8.15pm
HT: @RealSociedadEN 0-2 Real Madrid (@GarethBale11 2', @marcoasensio10 40').#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ptKDPgM1la
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 21, 2016
46 minRESTART! Sociedad resume the action on home soil...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace at the Anoeta.
48 minPENALTY SHOUT! Bergara goes down inside the Real Madrid box and the midfielder wants a penalty, but the referee is not interested! It would have been very soft in fairness.
49 minCHANCE! Rescue act from Inigo Martinez as the Sociedad centre-back just beats Morata to the ball as the Spaniard waited to convert a Kovacic cross into what was an open goal!
50 minBOOKING! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Concha.
51 minYuri sends one into the stands as the lively start to the second period continues.
53 minYou just get the feeling that there is something in this game for Sociedad as they continue to work the ball into wide positions and deliver into the Real Madrid box. The visitors are sitting very deep at the moment as they attempt to overcome what is a strong period of play from the home team.
54 minBOOKING! Morata (Real Madrid) is booked for diving inside the box!
55 minCROSSBAR! Kroos hammers the crossbar for Real Madrid after Rulli had kept out a low effort from Morata. That would have been game, set and match. However, Sociedad survive!
56 minSOCIEDAD SUB! Willian Jose replaces Concha.
57 minMikel Gonzalez heads over the Real Madrid crossbar as Sociedad threaten from a set piece.
60 minLittle over 30 minutes of this contest remaining and Real Madrid still lead 2-0 courtesy of first-half goals from Bale and Asensio. It would be safe to say that a third for the visitors kills this game as a contest, but one for Sociedad and it would very much be game on in the latter stages!
62 minStill no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but you suspect that Zidane will look to freshen things up in the next five or 10 minutes. Sociedad still have two permitted changes left in this match.
63 minRulli goes out to challenge Bale and the home supporters love it! Sociedad then break with Willian Jose, who squeezes a low cross into the box, but Casilla is on hand to claim with relative ease.
65 minPossession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes here.
66 minREAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez replaces Asensio for the away side.
68 minToni Kroos has been wonderful in that Real Madrid midfield tonight. The German international has been up and down the pitch, making challenges and spraying the ball from side to side. He has also had a couple of brilliant chances to score and hit the crossbar earlier in this second period.
69 minBOOKING! Zaldua (Sociedad) fouls Bale just outside the Sociedad box...
69 min... Ramos strikes straight into the wall.
70 minSAVE! Stunning save from Rulli to tip Kovacic's effort wide of the post!
72 minSOCIEDAD SUB! Prieto replaces Juanmi for Sociedad.
73 minREAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Kroos in the Real Madrid midfield.
75 minSociedad need a goal and they need one quickly if they are to stand a chance of avoiding defeat in the final 15 minutes of this match. In truth, it has been comfortable for Real Madrid tonight.
77 minReal Madrid are preparing to make their third and final change here as James Rodriguez receives his final instructions from Zidane. It could well be Bale exiting the field for the latter stages.
77 minREAL MADRID SUB! James Rodriguez replaces Morata for Real Madrid.
79 minThe match has really opened up in the last couple of minutes as both teams commit players in the final third of the field. Isco does brilliantly to collect a deep cross inside the Sociedad box, but the midfielder runs into traffic and Sociedad can break down the other end. Still time for a response!
80 minSOCIEDAD SUB! Carlos Vela replaces Mikel in Sociedad's final change.
82 minLittle under 10 minutes left and Real Madrid still lead 2-0 at the Anoeta.
84 minCasemiro has been brilliant for Real Madrid tonight and I would be surprised if Zidane dropped him after this performance. Casemiro, Modric and Kroos in the Real Madrid midfield this season? That would mean no room for either Isco or James Rodriguez though and there could be a few problems!
85 minHalf-chance for Sociedad as Oyarzabal drives into the Real Madrid box, but Marcelo is across at the vital moment to make the challenge and another opportunity is wasted. Still 2-0 Real Madrid.
87 minAnother penalty shout for Sociedad as Willian Jose goes down inside the box, but the referee actually points for a free kick to Casemiro, who had got himself back to make the challenge.
88 minHANDBAGS!
88 minBOOKINGS! Ramos (Real Madrid) and Yuri (Sociedad) are booked after both sets of players clash in the middle of the pitch. The referee did well to get that under control fairly quickly there!
90 min+1The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes here.
90 min+2Kovacic finds the stands from outside the box as the minutes tick on here.
90 min+4Sociedad have huffed and puffed in the final third, but in truth, they have never really threatened to harm Real Madrid in terms of the final result. We are into the final moments of this La Liga clash.
90 min+4SAVE! Rulli gets down to keep out a low strike from James.
90 min+4GOAL! Sociedad 0-3 Real Madrid (Bale)
90 min+4Real Madrid have their third of the match as James releases Bale and the Welshman rounds Rulli before finishing into an empty net. Poor concentration from Sociedad in the final moments.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Sociedad 0-3 Real Madrid
9.07pmSo there we have it. Real Madrid open their 2016-17 La Liga campaign with a 3-0 win over Sociedad courtesy of a double from Bale and brilliant finish from Asensio. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to look out for my match report, which will follow in the next few minutes!
