Real Madrid suffered a surprise 4-2 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad, While Barcelona and Atletico Madrid edged Villarreal and Eibar in this weekend's round of La Liga fixtures.
Although Real Madrid got off to a flying start thanks to early strikes from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, Sociedad made a remarkable comeback as they went on to score four goals through David Zurutuza (2), Iñigo Martínez and Carlos Vela.
The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to make no difference to Real Madrid early on, as they went ahead after only five minutes through Sergio Ramos, who glanced a header past Zubikarai from a Toni Kroos cross.
Six minutes later, the Los Blancos doubled their lead when Bale slotted an effort into the bottom corner after picking up a pass from Luka Modric.
The Los Blancos continued putting pressure on Sociedad's defence as they threatened to further increase their lead.
However, While Marcelo's volleyed effort from a low cross was brilliantly kept out by Zubikarai in the 25th minute, Ramos headed a corner over the crossbar a minute later.
Despite Real Madrid's continued attacks, it was Sociedad who managed to find the net and pull a goal back, with Martinez striking the 35th minute. Some poor defending from Real Madrid saw the centre-back guide a flick from Xabi Prieto into the bottom corner from close range.
Martinez's strike seemed to inject some vigour into Sociedad as they found another goal through Zurutuza in the closing stages of the first half. The Frenchman connected with a cross from Alberto De la Bella to power a header from close range.
Sociedad completed their comeback by going ahead in the 65th minute through Zurutuza, who grabbed his second goal after firing in from a low cross from Sergio Canales.
Finally, Sociedad put the game beyond any doubt by doubling their lead through Vela. The former Arsenal man, after collecting a loose ball inside the box, smashed an effort into the top corner past Iker Casillas, sealing the three points for his side.
Meanwhile, a late goal from Sandro Ramirez helped Barcelona edge Villarreal 1-0 at the Estadio El Madrigal.
Lionel Messi had an early attempt on goal but Villarreal Sergio Asenjo made a good save to deny the Argentinean. New signing Ivan Rakitic then joined in on the action as he fizzed an effort wide, before laying the ball for Messi, who was again denied by Asenjo.
The Argentinean star came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock at the half hour mark as his curing freekick beat Asenjo and thundered against the post.
Although Villarreal failed to create many chances of their own, they nearly went ahead in the opening stages of the second half.
Ruben Cani whipped in a cross and Jeremy Mathieu headed into his own post as he tried to clear the ball.
Shaken by the close shave, the away side stepped it up and Messi combined well with Pedro to get Rakitic away. He was caught in two minds as to whether shoot or cross, and in the end his effort was cleared.
Barcelona continued pressing for a goal as they created more chances towards the latter stages of the game. While Messi failed to get his header, from a corner, on target in the 69th minute, Neymar wasted a good opportunity as he failed to convert, following a brilliant low cross from Messi.
A couple of minutes later, at the other end, Tomás Pina came close to breaking the deadlock as he rattled the crossbar after finding some space in the box.
Finally just as the game looked like it was heading for a goalless draw Sandro Ramirez broke the deadlock with eight minutes on the clock.
Messi, after receiving a good pass from Neymar, slid the ball towards Ramirez, who made no mistake as he stabbed the ball from close range.
Other La Liga Results: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Eibar, Getafe 1-0 Almeria, Valencia 3-0 Malaga, Athletic Bilbao 3-0 Levante, Cordoba 1-1 Celta Vigo, Espanyol 1-2 Sevilla, Deportivo La Coruna 2-2 Rayo Vallecano, Elche 1-1 Granada.
