Football can be beautiful without goals. Real Madrid and Real Sociedad demonstrated this in a game of power at the Santiago Bernabeu. A 0-0 draw due to Vinicius' lack of accuracy in two one-on-one situations against Remiro, Courtois' strong hand, and the resistance of a Real Sociedad team that overcame key absences and held onto Kubo's football to move five points clear of Carlo Ancelotti's team at the top.
Defying any physical laws, far from the fatigue expected in two teams that have played a lot of matches in January, with grueling cup ties, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad treated spectators to a thrilling duel. A battle of equals despite the absences.
Real Sociedad arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu on a historic winning streak in the league that came to an end. Missing key players when facing the top two teams. They earned the right to be there with their results and good football. They had the personality to challenge Real Madrid's possession at their own stadium, but lacked the accuracy to create doubts.
Every txuri urdin victory came with the finishing finesse that Sorloth lacked at the Madrid coliseum. He had the perfect chance to score at the six-minute mark, receiving a cross from Ahien, but failed to connect the shot when he had evaded the marking and had Courtois beaten.