Real blow for Sociedad's Champions League hopes

A 3-3 draw between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at the Anoeta stadium dealt a hammer blow to Philippe Montanier's side's bid to qualify for the Champions League. The San Sebastián outfit now has to defeat Deportivo in La Coruña in its last fixture of the season and hope Valencia fails to beat Sevilla.

A last-gasp goal from Xabi Prieto was enough to salvage Sociedad's Champions League dreams, although these remain hanging from a thread. It was a crazy game featuring six goals and heaps of spurned chances, particularly from the hosts, setting things up perfectly for a blockbuster finish.

Despite being without several regulars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid served up a professional display and twice held the lead, going 2-0 up and then scoring a third after being pegged back to 2-2.

Diego López was powerless to prevent the equaliser and produced a gargantuan performance – perhaps his finest display since José Mourinho went out on a limb to sign him –, conjuring up a string of top-class saves to thwart the home side.

As he himself explained, Cristiano Ronaldo was sidelined owing to pain in his neck and back. The Portuguese star left the Anoeta before the final whistle after being given the club's permission to take a personal trip.