Real Sociedad 3 - Real Madrid 0

Real Sociedad: Westerveld; López Rekarte, Kvarme, Jauregui, Aranzábal; Xabi Alonso, Idiakez; Tayfun, Khokhlov (Gabilondo 90'), De Pedro (Aranburu 79'); Kovacevic (De Paula 79'). 4-2-3-1.
Real Madrid: César; Michel Salgado (Geremi 53'), Iván Helguera, Karanka, Roberto Carlos; Makelele (Solari 71'), Flavio Conceiçao; Figo, Zidane, Munitis (Savio 60'); Raúl. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Real Sociedad: Kvarme, Idiakez for Luiz Alberto, Aranburu / Madrid: Iván Helguera, Karanka, Zidane for Hierro, Pavón, Morientes.

Goals:
1-0. 59. Kovacevic (penalty). After Iván Helguera blocked Aranzábal in the area.
2-0. 84. Khokhlov. Beat three men outside area before placing shot wide of keeper.
3-0. 91. De Paula. First time shot off post after Idiakez touched on cross from right.

Real Madrid virtually handed the first division title over to Valencia after losing 3-0 to Real Sociedad. A point behind the leaders, Del Bosque's side needed to win to keep in touch with their rivals. There was not much chance therefore to rest some of their tired players who had beaten Barcelona in their epic Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday night, and other than the suspended Hierro, Pavón and Guti, the line up was much the same. Figo did come back in to the line up though after missing the game in the Nou Camp, and Munitis got himself another start in attack behind Raúl. It was never going to be an easy game though, with Real Sociedad needing the points themselves to move away from the relegation spots, and they forced Madrid onto the back foot right from the start, with Tayfun and Idiakez going close in the early minutes. The news of Espanyol's goal at Valencia strengthened Madrid's resolve though, and they weathered the storm through until the half time break.

With the second half only a minute old Munitis left Westerveld for dead, but with the goal gaping in front of him he hit his shot against the woodwork. It was a vital miss, and they paid for their mistake a quarter of an hour later when a clumsy challenge by Iván Helguera on Aranzábal gave the Basques a penalty which Kovacevic converted to put his side in front. Savio came on for the disappointed Munitis and Raúl put a shot over and then hit the bar in quick succession. But the home side went further in front when a jinking run by Khokhlov ended with the Russian midfielder beating César from the edge of the area with six minutes to go. The colour drained from the tired faces of the Madrid players as the scoreboard signalled that Valencia were leading, and in injury time late substitute De Paula connected with a cross from the right to fire the ball into César's net off the post.

Madrid ended the day four points behind the leaders, and although they have the better general goal average (the head-to-head results are level), they need a near miracle to be able to win their second title in a row. Their centenary celebrations now depend on them winning the Champions League, and the two goal lead from last Tuesday should be enough to see them through next week's second leg to the final in Glasgow next month. It has been a long hard season though, and many of the players will not be looking forward to a strenuous World Cup at the end of it. Roberto Olabe's side though can rest easy, the victory making their position in the top flight fairly safe. As we often say, a week can be a long time in football.