REAL Madrid’s slim hopes of regaining the Spanish La Liga title were all but extinguished by a defeat at Champions League hopefuls Real Sociedad.
After a tight first half, Real Madrid fell behind when Eder Militao sold Thibaut Courtois short with a backpass and Takefusa Kubo slid into an empty net.
Madrid’s frustrations spilled over as right-back Dani Carvajal was sent off for two bookings in quick succession.
The home side, made to tick by veteran midfielder David Silva, sealed a deserved win when substitute Ander Barrenetxea fired in a late second.
The loss leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s side 14 points behind rivals Barcelona with just five games left to play.
Earlier on Tuesday, Barca overcame 10-man Osasuna’s stubborn resistance to earn a 1-0 win through Jordi Alba’s late strike.
In a match where they needed to win to keep pressure on Barca, Madrid were without a host of key players – striker Karim Benzema, winger Vinicius Junior, midfielder Luka Modric and centre-back David Alaba – against fourth-placed Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
With the title looking out of reach, Madrid realise their best chances of silverware this season come elsewhere and already seemed to have an eye on Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Osasuna.
