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Vinicius scored a late draw in his 100th game with Real Madrid to save a point against Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid were celebrating, but it was still a missed opportunity to put pressure on LaLiga leader Atlético de Madrid, whom they face on Sunday.
The Brazilian entered the second half and edged out Alex Remiro after a deft heel from Fede Valverde allowed Lucas Vázquez to cross from the right.
Even Karim Benzema stood up in the stands as the ball hit the back of the net.
But it was a performance below the average of Madrid. Real Sociedad could have had a penalty when at 10 minutes Casemiro collided with Nacho Monreal in the area. It was an offside decision that saved Jesús Gil from having to make the decision but the flag had been raised incorrectly.
Real Sociedad got off to a brilliant start with young midfielders Martín Zubimendi and Ander Guevara prevailing but there was no final product and it was Madrid who had the first real opportunity.
Lucas threw a perfect cross to the back post and under pressure from Andoni Gorosabel, Mariano could only hit the crossbar with his header. Marco Asensio tried to shoot from the rebound but Robin Le Normand made the block. Alex Remiro then assisted in a header from Raphael Varane just over the crossbar.
Madrid were already riddling Real Sociedad’s goal, but the Basques counterattacked with a free-kick chance after a foul by Isco. Isak fired into the wall for the visitors’ first corner kick.
Zinedine Zidane put Casemiro back in the center of a back three at the start of the second half and the tinkering seemed to give Real Sociedad the initiative. They took the lead in the 55th minute when Nacho Monreal threw a cross to Portu, who edged past the rear pedal rider Ferland Mendy to finish off a header on Thibaut Courtois.
It could have been two, moments later, when Portu came in behind Real Madrid on the right and crossed for Isak. He’s on a six-game scoring streak and this should have been his seventh game, but he couldn’t make contact with the gift of a cross.
Zidane reacted by abandoning Casemiro’s experience and putting him back in midfield. He had the next opportunity for Madrid with a header barely deflected from Remiro’s post.
Isco, Asensio and Mariano Díaz were removed by Zidane with Hugo Duro, Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes entering. The chances kept falling on Casemiro and he swerved with another header.
Le Normand headed towards La Real and was then needed at the other end to block Toni Kroos’ corner kick.
The game seemed to be moving away from Real Madrid but Vinicius had other ideas and Real Madrid will face Atlético in six games with five points behind him.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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