Real Sociedad 2 - Atlético Madrid 0

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Gerardo, Ansotegi, Víctor López, Garrido; Xabi Prieto, Juanito, Garitano, Savio; Díaz de Cerio (Herrera 81'), Kovacevic (Aranburu 87'). 4-4-2.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Perea, Pablo, Eller, Pernía; Galletti (Zé Castro 81'), Gabi, Luccin, Jurado (Mista 58'); Agüero, Fernando Torres. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Real: No change / Atlético: Luccin, Agüero for Costinha, Mista.

Goals:
1-0. 07. Kovacevic. Got on the end of Savio's cross to turn the ball wide of keeper.
2-0. 84. Savio. First time volley low into net from Herrera's floated cross.

Real Sociedad kept alive their hopes of salvation with a 2-0 victory over Atlético Madrid on Saturday evening. Kovacevic connected with a centre from Savio to open the scoring in the seventh minute, and they could have increased the lead when Ansotegui headed a free kick against the bar, and later in the first half when Kovacevic had a headed goal disallowed for a borderline offside.

Atlético were being outgunned, although they did have a couple of chances themselves in the first half, Gabi and Agüero bringing good saves out of Bravo and Fernando Torres shooting wide a couple of times close to the break. Leo Franco was in action to keep out Garrido and Díaz de Cerio soon after the restart.

The turning point came though midway through the second half, when Luccin was shown a straight red card for insulting referee Medina Cantalejo. And Atlético were left with nine men a few minutes later when also Eller was sent off for a second booking, both for protesting. Real took advantage to wrap things up, Savio striking a first time volley wide of the keeper from Herrera's cross. Lotina's miracle is still possible, and the Basque side are now only three points away from safety.