Turkish teenager Arda Guler's strike helped Real Madrid close in on the Spanish title with a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad Friday, moving 14 points clear at the top of LaLiga.
After last weekend's Clasico win over second place Barcelona it appears a formality for Real to take the title back from their arch-rivals, and Guler helped them move one step closer.
The playmaker, 19, has endured an injury-hit season but on his first league start snatched a heavily rotated Real side a tight victory at Reale Arena.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti rested virtually his entire first choice team with Tuesday's Champions League semi-final visit to face Bayern Munich in mind.
Top scorer Jude Bellingham was on the bench after recovering from a stomach problem to earn a late addition to the squad list, alongside Vinicius Junior, Toni Kroos and various other stars.
As a result Real conjured little in attack, with the hosts, sixth, on top in driving San Sebastian rain.
Real goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea, pushed away a Takefusa Kubo effort as La Real continued to probe.
Ancelotti also gave defender Eder Militao his first start after his long-term knee injury.
The Brazilian looked uncertain but Sociedad could not capitalize, with Benat Turrientes firing narrowly over.
Despote failing to generate openings of their own, Real took the lead in the 29th minute.
Aurelien Tchouameni swept the ball out to Dani Carvajal on the right, who stroked a low ball across the area.
It was a perfectly placed pass by the Spain international - playing seemingly only as he is suspended for the visit to Munich - and Guler arrived in the right place at the right time to finish.
Kubo thought he had pulled Sociedad level against his former side before the break when he beat Militao and slotted home, but Ander Barrenetxea was penalized for a foul on Tchouameni in the build-up.
Arrizabalaga pushed a Turrientes effort wide in the second half and Ancelotti called on the cavalry for the final 25 minutes, sending Vinicius and Fede Valverde into the fray.
Another substitute, Antonio Rudiger, made a vital block on an attempted Mikel Oyarzabal dink to deflect the forward's effort behind for a corner.
Alex Remiro made a fine save to deny Eduardo Camavinga late on as the reinforced visitors took control in five minutes of added time to see out the win.
Barca face Valencia Monday but the Catalans have all but thrown in the towel in the title race.
Real’s performance was decidedly forgettable but they are eyeing a league and Champions League double for the fifth time in their history - and that would be something to remember.
RESULT
Sociedad 0 Real Madrid 1 (Guler 29)