Sergio Ramos was once again the late hero for Real Madrid as his injury-time header secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
The result also set a new club record for Real Madrid of 35 games unbeaten in all competitions, but they were given a real scare by Depor and needed a late intervention from their skipper.
The game burst into life in the second half, with Alvaro Morata giving the hosts the lead on 50 minutes, collecting Isco’s pass before unleashing an unstoppable long-range drive past Depor keeper Przemyslaw Tyton.
However, the visitors hit back through substitute Joselu, who netted a quick-fire double that silenced the Bernabeu and looked to put the Galicians on course for a famous result.
The Stoke City loanee scored his first goal for the club on the hour mark, collecting Carles Gil’s pass to fire past Keylor Navas. He doubled their advantage two minutes later, getting past Ramos to convert Florin Andone’s cross from close range.
But Madrid responded positively as their own substitutes linked up to find an equaliser, Lucas Vazquez delivering a brilliant cross from the left, which fellow substitute Mariano Diaz headed home for his first La Liga goal on 83 minutes.
Despite their best efforts, Deportivo could not hold back the Madrid onslaught in the closing minutes. Tyton saved from Morata, but Ramos rose highest to head in the resulting corner inside added time.
Neither side made any real attacking inroads in the first half, with Madrid struggling for cohesion, having made eight changes from the Clasico.
Other than their three goals, James Rodriguez missed Los Blancos’ best chance on a rare counterattack, while Celso Borges hit the post for the visitors.
Real Madrid 3-2 Deportivo La Coruna
Morata 50, Mariano 83, Ramos 90 (RM) Joselu 60, 62 (D)
Real Madrid: Navas, Danilo (Marcelo 81), Pepe, Ramos, Nacho, Kroos, Casemiro, Asensio (Vazquez 66), Isco (Mariano 72), Rodriguez, Morata
Deportivo La Coruna: Tyton, Juanfran, Navarro, Albentosa, Sidnei, Colak (Joselu 58), Gil, Guillerme, Borges, Babel (Fajr 82), Andone (Mosquera 75)
Referee: Santiago Jaime
