Real Madrid top after fortunate win in San Sebastian

MADRID - Real Madrid went to the top of the Spanish football league Saturday with a fortunate 2-1 win away to luckless Real Sociedad.

Angel Di Maria gave Madrid the lead against the run of play, Raul Tamudo equalized for Sociedad, and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a lucky late winner for the visitors.

Madrid now have seven points from three games, one point more than Atletico Madrid and Valencia, who face Barcelona and Hercules Sunday.

Di Maria said that “this was a difficult game to win, because they are a good start and had a lot of chances. We needed a bit of good luck in the second hazlf.”

Sociedad outplayed Madrid in the first half but all of their good chances were wasted by teenager Antoine Griezmann.

Madrid went ahead seven minutes into the second half through a superb strike from Di Maria, who cut inside from the left and scored with a looping right-foot drive.

Ten minutes later Tamudo made it 1-1 by volleying in a Griezmann free-kick from close range, taking advantage of a mistake from defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Madrid were second best in terms of collective performance but had the individual talent - and good fortune - necessary to win.

Their winning goal came 15 minutes from time, when Ronaldo’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off team-mate Pepe and flew into the top corner.

“We really didn’t deserve to lose tonight, said Sociedad captain Mikel Aranburu. “Football can be a cruel game sometimes.”

Earlier Saturday, Athletic Bilbao did well to force a 2-2 draw away to Sporting Gijon, after being 2-0 down after 24 minutes.

“We showed a lot of character today,” said Bilbao midfielder Carlos Gurpegui.

“The game turned difficult for us early on,” he added, “but we kept our composure and scored goals. We actually had chances to win, but this is not a bad result in the circumstances.”

The draw leaves Bilbao seventh with four points, the same number that Gijon have.

Miguel de las Cuevas gave Gijon the lead in the 13th minute, after a blunder by Bilbao keeper Gorka Iraizoz. Argentine striker Gaston Sangoy made it 2-0 for Gijon in the 24th minute after being played through by veteran Alberto Rivera.

Five minutes later, Gurpegui reduced arrears for Bilbao by heading in a centre from Igor Martinez. And Spain striker Fernando Llorente made it 2-2 on the hour by heading in a corner.

Earlier Saturday, Espanyol moved up to fourth with a tight 1-0 home defeat of struggling Almeria.

The only goal in Cornella came two minutes into the second half when Jose Callejon made it 1-0 with a fierce drive, after Almeria defender Michael Jakobsen had failed to properly clear a centre from Javi Marquez.

Almeria battled bravely for an equalizer but their powder-puff attack had no penetration. They are now fifth from bottom with just two points from three games.

Espanyol, in contrast, are now fourth with six points.

“We have started out winning our home matches and this is the way we should continue,” said Javi Marquez.

“If we are strong at home then we will not have too many problems this season.”

Saturday’s other early game was a 2-0 home win for Mallorca against lowly Osasuna, on goals from Gonzalo Castro and Jonathan De Guzman.

Their first win leaves financially troubled Mallorca with four points, Osasuna, who are still looking for their first win, are third from bottom with just one point.