Real Madrid kept their perfect La Liga record with a come-from-behind victory over Real Sociedad.

Ander Barrenetxea gave Sociedad an unexpected early lead, but the freshly renovated Santiago Bernabeu and goals from Federico Valverde and Joselu ultimately won the game for Real Madrid.

With the victory, Madrid, who had won their first five games of the season, returns to the top of the La Liga standings.

Real Madrid had a very strong start to the game and nearly took the lead via David Alaba in the third minute. The center-back charged forward during open play, connecting with Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham before the latter calmly squared the ball into his path, forcing Alex Remiro to make a quick save.

But Ander Barrenetxea made Madrid regret that squandered opportunity a few minutes later. In the penalty area, the youthful wide player outran Dani Carvajal to volley a deft Takefusa Kubo cross goalward. Kepa Arrizabalaga excellently stopped Barrenetxea’s original shot, and he also stopped a follow-up attempt, but the 21-year-old was able to follow up and poke home while the Madrid goalkeeper was pinned to the ground.

Carvajal nearly assisted an equalizer in the 15th minute to atone for his defensive error that led to Sociedad’s score. The right-back sprinted down the right after latching onto Remiro’s errant pass outside the box. When the goal was clearly in reach, Carvajal was able to drag the ball back into the path of the open Joselu in the center of the penalty area, but the striker was only able to hit the crossbar with his initial shot.

After that opportunity, Madrid launched a flurry of attacks on the Sociedad goal, forcing Remiro to make quick reflex saves from Rodrygo, Joselu, and Bellingham. At the halfway point, Kubo almost made Madrid pay for those wasted opportunities once more. The home team scored their equalizer just one minute into the second half. It’s surprising that Federico Valverde, not Bellingham, would score the equalizer.

The goal was spectacular in the manner that Valverde is known for. Fran Garcia used a pull-back pass to find the Uruguayan, and he made no mistakes with his first-time side-footed attempt on goal, putting the ball in off the left post with ease. Following that, the home team took control of the game, and around the hour mark, they earned a lead. Garcia would again provide a fantastic cross from the left wing that would result in the goal. Joselu was there to score as the left back floated a superb cross to the back post.

In the 84th minute, it was so close to being 3-1 as an advancing Valverde grabbed another pass to the edge of the box. But this time, a Sociedad defender was there to deflect the initial attempt just wide of the post. Late in the game, Bellingham came close to scoring his sixth La Liga goal of the season, but Remiro made a diving header good save.

Real Madrid player ratings

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7/10 – Made a number of stunning saves, including in the lead-up to conceding the opening goal.

RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – Fell asleep in the lead-up to Sociedad’s opening goal. The veteran was good going forward, however.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Used the ball well when in possession.

CB: David Alaba – 6/10 – Almost scored inside the opening three minutes following a storming run forward.

LB: Fran Garcia – 8/10 – Bagged twos assist with two fantastic crosses from the left flank. He looks set to become a key player for Ancelotti.

CM: Federico Valverde – 8/10 – Scored a stunning goal to get Madrid back into the game. That’s what he’s capable of.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10 – A quiet outing for the France international.

CM: Toni Kroos – 7/10 – Pinged the ball around the park in the way he only can.

AM: Jude Bellingham – 7/10 – He didn’t get his goal, but it was yet another impressive performance from the England international.

ST: Rodrygo – 7/10 – Linked up very well with Garcia down the left flank, and cause Sociedad with his movement.

ST: Joselu – 7/10 – Missed a very good chance early on but made amends by giving Madrid the lead in the second half with a thumping header.