Real Madrid was able to take advantage of the 0-0 slip from Barcelona against Seville on Friday, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 to score points with El Blaugrana at the top of the table.
Not long after the break, Sergio Ramos nailed a Vinicius penalty, before Karim Benzema doubled Madrid’s lead in the 70th minute.
The hosts managed to claw one back on 83 ‘via Merino but Los Blancos held on to ensure a hard-fought victory until the end. Eight games to go, and plenty to play for as the Madrid-Barca fight looks likely to go down to the wire.
With Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema ‘s second-half goals winning all three points, Zinedine Zidane’s side now leads their El Clasico rivals on a head-to-head record in 2019-20.
Los Blancos have struggled to break down the team of Imanol Alguacil in the first half, with limited chances on both sides.
But after the break, the game turned in favor of Real Madrid, as Ramos netted from the penalty spot, following a foul on Vinicius Junior by Diego Llorente.
Ramos was injured and replaced minutes later, as Sociedad grew in strength in the closing stages.
Substitute Adnan Januzaj sent the hosts level on 69 minutes, only for VAR to dismiss it for offside against Mikel Merino.
VAR also gave another supporting hand to Zidane ‘s side when Benzema’s shot was allowed to remain, despite trying to strike the former French international ‘s arm.
Merino scored a late consolation for the home team but was unable to haul Real Madrid in the final stages.
