Madrid come from goal behind to beat Real Sociedad and move eight points clear at the top of La Liga

Real Madrid’s task of overhauling the 1-0 deficit in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday looked a lot less far-fetched after this hugely impressive 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi will ask different questions of Carlo Ancelotti’s defence than their La Liga opponents did but Madrid played with a voracious intensity that suggests completely writing them off would be a mistake.

David Silva won a penalty after just 10 minutes when the former Manchester City midfielder was trying to shift into a space from where he could shoot and Dani Carvajal stood on his foot.

Mikel Oyarzabal took the kick and became the first player to score against Real Madrid in La Liga for 385 minutes of football. Thibaut Courtois dived the right way and got his huge frame down quickly but arguably Spain’s best penalty-taker still found the corner.

But that was largely it from the visitors as Real Madrid dominated from there on in. Casemiro was wrestled down in the area and unlucky not to draw a penalty from Igor Zubeldia. And Karim Benzema looked level when he scored but VAR ruled the goal offside.

Real Sociedad were defending deep and effectively but there is one thing that tends to undo a low-block defence – shots from distance.

Eduardo Camavinga had put Sociedad ahead but Real Madrid scored twice before half time

First Eduardo Camavinga blasted in from outside the area to make it 1-1 and then Luka Modric matched his effort with a left-footed strike to give Real Madrid the lead. Camavinga was to Modric’ left waiting for the pass ahead of the second goal but the 36-year-old ignored the 19-year-old and went for goal himself.

With wonder strikes from their oldest and youngest players Madrid were ahead.

Casemiro did not want to be left out and Alex Remiro had to bat away his long shot at the restart.

Silva and Jon Pacheco were taken off at half time with Rafael Alcantara and Nais Djouahra coming on. The latter went through the back of the increasingly dangerous Vinicius but nothing came of the free-kick.

Madrid now turn their attention to overcoming a 1-0 deficit to PSG in the Champions League

Madrid had the ball in the net again on 69 minutes but Rodrygo had been just offside when Benzema played him in. It was a shame because the way Vinicus backheeled the ball to Benzema and the nonchalant manner in which he thrashed it into the roof of the net made for a goal as good as the previous two.

They were not to be denied the third goal. Another substitute Aritz Elustondo chopped down Vinicius just inside the area and Benzema scored from the spot.

With 12 minutes left Carvajal pulled the ball back from the byline and Marco Asensio side-footed home. He had only just replaced Rodrygo, it was his first touch, and Real Sociedad were now desperate for the final whistle.

There was talk of players being rested ahead of the PSG game. Wise old owl Ancelotti picked his strongest side and demanded a throttle-back performances instead. It’s what his player produced. They are now eight points clear at the top of La Liga. And ready for PSG.