Internet Desk: A late header from Gareth Bale kept Real Madrid’s La Liga title challenge alive as they battled to a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Zinedine Zidane’s side went into the match just a point behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and knowing that victory would take them top of the table for at least a few hours, with both their rivals playing later in the day.
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema injured and one eye perhaps on the visit of Manchester City in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg, Madrid struggled to break down a resilient Sociedad side who beat Barca at Anoeta just three weeks ago.
Bale missed three clear-cut chances, while Jese Rodriguez was also thwarted by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and a stubborn home defence.
But the Welshman, whose late goal secured the 3-2 comeback with over Rayo Vallecano last week, steered in a powerful header in the 80th minute to salvage a win which piles pressure back on Barca and Atletico.