Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Sociedad v Real Madrid - Reale Arena, San Sebastian, Spain - April 26, 2024 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior shoots at goal REUTERS/Vincent West
(Reuters) - Arda Gueler scored in the first half to earn a second-string Real Madrid side a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad on Friday, moving the LaLiga leaders a step closer to a record-extending 36th Spanish title.
With five games remaining, Real climbed to 84 points and extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand and host Valencia on Monday.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several key players ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich side did just enough to secure the three points.
The winner came from 19-year-old Turkish midfielder Gueler, making his first start for Real after signing from Fenerbahce, when he turned home Dani Carvajal's cross in the 29th minute.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed Osmond)
