MADRID: Real Sociedad moved closer to a Champions League spot by defeating Las Palmas 1-0 after a blunder by the home side’s goalkeeper in La Liga on Friday.

Xabi Prieto scored the 74min winner from just outside the area after Las Pal­mas goalie Geronimo Rulli made a mistake and passed the ball right to Prieto’s feet when under pressure from another Real Sociedad player inside the box.

Prieto fired a low shot into the open net as Rulli desperately tried to scramble back.

At the other end, Real Sociedad goalkeeper Javi Varas made key saves to secure victory and move his team to within a point of 4th-place Atletico Madrid.

The top three teams automatically qualify for the Champions League, while the 4th-place team have to go through a playoff.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017