Real Madrid went into their final game of 2015, at home to Real Sociedad, looking to pick up where they left off after hammering Rayo Vallecano 10-2 in their last outing.
They started brightly, forcing a number of good saves from Sociedad goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli and were awarded an early penalty after Karim Benzema was bundled over in the box.
The responsibility fell to Cristiano Ronaldo, only for the normally ruthless forward to blaze over the bar.
But he was given another chance from the spot shortly before half-time, when Yuri Berchiche was harshly adjudged to have handled Gareth Bale's cross.