Real Madrid 3-1 Real Sociedad: Gareth Bale returns as Real fight back - (2021)

Substitute Gareth Bale received a mixed reception at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid fought back to defeat Real Sociedad and stay joint-top of La Liga with Barcelona.

Bale was pictured with a flag that read ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order' while on international duty and was initially jeered by home supporters.

Real's Karim Benzema cancelled out Willian Jose's second-minute opener.

Second-half goals from Luka Modric and Federico Valverde then sealed victory.

Earlier on Saturday, reigning champions Barcelona edged past Leganes to move three points ahead of Real.

Zinedine Zidane's side made the worst possible start to their bid to keep up with their rivals when Jose intercepted Sergio Ramos' weak back pass and rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But Karim Benzema's goal before half-time – his fifth in three games for Real – was followed by Valverde's deflected shot and Modric's well-taken finish as the hosts dominated after the interval.

Bale's name was jeered by supporters when the team was announced before kick-off and he received a similar response when introduced from the bench after 67 minutes for his first Real appearance since 5 October.

The Wales forward received heavy criticism in the Spanish media after posing with the contentious flag as his country secured qualification for Euro 2020 on Tuesday.

Manager Zidane insisted there was no need to discuss the incident further and by full-time Bale appeared to have earned back some support – receiving applause for the part he played in Modric's third and also for his defensive efforts as Real closed out the game.

Attention now turns to the Champions League for Zidane's side, who host Paris St-Germain on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).