Real Madrid’s 19-year-old Turkish international Arda Guler scored the only goal of the game as Carlo Ancelotti’s team went 14 points clear at the top of La Liga.

It was his first start of the season and he made the difference as Madrid extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 25 games. 

They asked the Spanish League to let them play on Friday to give them an extra day to prepare for next week’s Champions League semi-final and they took full advantage despite fielding a second string XI.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made nine changes from the team that won the Clasico with only Luka Modric and Nacho keeping their place. 

Jude Bellingham was not supposed to even travel but was on the bench after Rodrygo pulled out late with a stomach upset.

Arda Guler celebrates scoring the winner for Real Madrid as they beat Real Sociedad 

The biggest call was to give Eder Militao his first start since the opening day of the season when he tore his cruciate ligament. He could yet make the Champions League semi-final starting line-up alongside Antonio Rudiger who was rested along with Vinicius for this game.

Real Sociedad had to go for the win with pressure mounting on the Basque side to get the points to secure a place in next season’s Europa League. But they missed their earlier chances with former Real Madrid forward Take Kubo failing to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post. Kepa was starting his first game since January and impressed when tested.

Madrid punished Real Sociedad’s failure to take advantage of their earlier dominance when Guler put them ahead on 29 minutes. The teenager making his first league start and he buried Dani Cavraval’s brilliant cross first time to make it 1-0 – with his second of the season.

Real Socidad thought they had levelled but Kubo’s goal was ruled out because Ander Barrenetxea had fouled Aurelien Tchouameni in the build-up. La Real were pressing effectively and forcing mistakes.

Guler started the second half with the same flair and verve as he had shown in the first half but he walked a thin line with the referee. 

He had been cautioned in the first half and with a hand in the face of Robin Le Normand and kicking the ball away he risked a second yellow. Ancelotti took him off with 20 minutes left to avoid a dismissal.

Dani Ceballos, also given a rare start, was also taken off as Ancelotti brought on two of his luxury subs Fede Valverde and Vinicius.

Mikel Oyarzabal had the ball in the net on 72 minutes but he was fractionally offside and so Madrid stayed ahead.

Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil threw Sheraldo Becker on for the last 15 minutes and he almost got the leveller with a curling shot from distance that just cleared the crossbar. 

But Madrid crossed the line at a canter, without having to use Bellingham – and can now begin preparing for Bayern Munich on Tuesday.