The match between the two Copa del Rey finalists was brought to life as early as the fifth minute as Atlético Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth volleyed home the opener against his old club.
Just a few minutes later, however, Real Sociedad were on level terms as Carlos Soler rifled a left-footed missile into the top corner. The game continued at a frenetic pace, with a number of half-chances going begging at both ends.
As the match started to settle down, La Real’s Yangel Herrera was guilty of misplacing multiple passes, but Atleti were unable to take advantage.
Ademola Lookman was a thorn in the side of the visitors, and Giuliano Simeone wouldn’t give Sociedad’s defence any peace, though their aims weren’t true for the most part.
Orri Oskarsson offered nothing as an attacking outlet at the other end, whilst Luka Sucic’s superb stoppage-time run and shot deserved a goal; however, 1-1 at half-time flattered La Real.
Alex Remiro’s ball-juggling almost cost Sociedad right at the start of the second half, before Diego Simeone decided to make a triple substitution to freshen things up for the hosts before the hour.
The visitors made two of their own, with Goncalo Guedes and Mikel Oyarzabal offering an immediate threat. Sorloth whizzed an effort just over as Atleti pushed hard, before Nico Gonzalez somehow missed the target from 10 yards out.
The Argentinian quickly redeemed himself as he side-footed home after Antoine Griezmann’s sublime back-heel assist, but just two minutes later, Oyarzabal hammered a piledriver into the top corner to restore parity once more.
With 10’ to play, Gonzalez headed Atleti back in front with a towering header from the penalty spot.
The goal was enough to win the game for the hosts, and a third successive victory for Atlético Madrid kept them firmly in third place in LaLiga, whilst the loss was only Real Sociedad’s second in the last 11 Spanish top-flight games.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nico Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid)
