Rejuvenated Jovic inspires Real Madrid to victory away at Real Sociedad

Luka Jovic produced an assist and a goal off the bench to hand Real Madrid a well-earned 2-0 victory away at Real Sociedad on Saturday evening. Incredibly, this was Jovic's first league goal for Los Blancos since February 2020 against Osasuna.

Real Madrid made two changes to the team that beat Athletic Club 1-0 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in midweek, with Dani Carvajal returning to the starting line-up and Rodrygo Goes featuring on the right wing instead of Marco Asensio.

Carlo Ancelotti was dealt a hard blow 17 minutes in, however, when Karim Benzema had to be replaced due to a knock, with Jovic coming off the bench in LaLiga Santander for the first time since his cameo appearance in Los Blancos' 4-1 victory away at Granada on November 21.

Despite Benzema's absence, Real Madrid pushed forward for a goal and they would have taken the lead had Alex Remiro not pulled off a fine save to deny Luka Modric.

Real Sociedad didn't look dangerous in attack and mainly threatened with dead balls. The hosts did come close to scoring just before the break, though, when Mikel Oyarzabal sent his strike just wide.

Real Madrid got off to a brilliant start in the second half. Rodrygo couldn't beat Remiro, but Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock with his 10th LaLiga Santander goal this season after a beautiful Jovic assist.

The Serbian striker turned from provider to scorer just before the hour mark to double the lead for Real Madrid with a diving header following a Casemiro headed pass.

Real Sociedad hardly created any clear chances in the remaining minutes, while Vinicius failed to beat Remiro in a one on one with three minutes to go.

Following their win in San Sebastian, LaLiga Santander leaders Real Madrid are now 10 points ahead of reigning champions Atletico Madrid and have a 16-point advantage over Barcelona.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are sitting in fifth position on 29 points, while second-placed Sevilla have registered 31 points in 15 games.

Match Sheet

0 - Real Sociedad: Remiro; Gorosabel (Zaldua, min. 69), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico (Munoz, min. 86); Guevara (Turrientes, min. 61), Zubimendi, Januzaj (Portu, min 70), Oyarzabal; Isak, Sorloth (Barrentetxea, min. 61).

2 - Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos (Valverde, min. 81), Casemiro (Camavinga, min.64), Modric; Rodrygo (Asensio, min. 81), Benzema (Jovic, min. 17), Vinicius.

Goals: 0-1, min. 47: Vinicius, 0-2, min. 57: Jovic.

Referee: Gil Manzano (Extremadura).

Yellow cards: Zubeldia (min. 26) and Januzaj (min. 60) for Real Sociedad.

Red cards: None.

Stadium: Reale Arena.