Real Madrid sneak Deportivo win to set unbeaten record
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Updated 10/12/2016 at 22:20 GMT
La Liga, Santiago Bernabeu - Real Madrid 3 (Morata 50, Mariano 84, Ramos 90+2) Deportivo 2 (Joselu 63, 65)
Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid v Deportivo Coruna - Liga 2016-2017
Image credit: AFP
Real Madrid extended their unbeaten run to a club record 35 games, with Sergio Ramos proving their saviour once again as the defender headed home a stoppage time winner to complete a late turnaround against Deportivo La Coruna.
Zinedine Zidane's side found themselves 2-1 down after a quick-fire double by Joselu, making the most of some slack defensive play by Casemiro and Pepe. But the Liga leaders fought back, as they have done so many times this season, to claim all three points.
A number of key players were rested for the match, with Real Madrid flying out to Japan for the Club World Cup next week. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric were all left out, but the fringe players ultimately found a way to overcome a stubborn Deportivo side.
The result ensured that Real Madrid will finish the year at the top of the table.
TALKING POINT
Did Zinedine Zidane get away with one? Real Madrid were a few minutes way from all their hard work in the Clasico being undone. Ramos’ late equaliser against Barcelona last week would have been for nothing if they hadn’t backed it up with a home win over Deportivo. And so Zidane’s decision to rest so many key players for such a key match proved to be something of a gamble. It paid off in the end, but did he get away with one?
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Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane gestures during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RC Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on December 10, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid): The centre back was partially at fault for the slack defensive play that contributing to both of Joselu’s goals for Deportivo, but Ramos embodied the fighting spirit that saw Real Madrid over the line. Just as he did in the Clasico against Barcelona the week before, his refusal to accept defeat inspired his side and made the difference.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid: Navas 6, Danilo 4, Ramos 8, Pepe 7, Nacho 6, Casemiro 5, Kroos 7, Asensio 6, Isco 6, James 6, Morata 7. Subs: Marcelo 7, Lucas 7, Mariano 7.
Deportivo: Tyton 7, Juanfran 5, Albentosa 6, Sidnei 7, Navarro 6, Guilherme 6, Borges 7, Gil 5, Colak 5, Babel 7, Andone 7. Subs: Joselu 8, Mosquera 5, Fajr 4.
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Real Madrid's James Rodriguez in action
Image credit: Reuters
KEY MOMENTS
34’ - DEPOR HIT THE POST! Borges got ahead of his marker to flick a shot towards goal following a low cross into the box, but the woodwork comes to Real Madrid's rescue.
40’ - OFF THE POST AGAIN! Borges causes Real Madrid problems again, rising highest at far post to head towards goal from a freekick. He beats Navas, but doesn't beat the woodwork.
50’ - GOAL! Real 1-0 Deportivo. Out of nowhere Real Madrid have the lead! Isco passed the ball into Morata, who lashed a finish home from about 25 yards out.
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Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez after scoring during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RC Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on December 10, 201
Image credit: AFP
66’ - GOAL! Real 1-1 Deportivo. Real Madrid are punished for their defensive sloppiness! Casemiro gets himself in a mess, loses the ball and Joselu smashes home a finish off the underside of the bar.
67’ - GOAL! Real 1-2 Deportivo. What is going on here? Incredible! Once again it's the result of poor defending. Joselu beats Ramos to a cross and squeezes a finish underneath Navas.
83’ - GOAL! Real 2-2 Deportivo. Real Madrid have the equaliser! Lucas' cross finds Mariano, who flicks a header into the far corner of the net. They have time for a winner as well!
93’ - GOAL! Real 3-2 Deportivo. He's done it again! Ramos gets his head to a corner kick and powers home a header to save Real Madrid's blushes. That will be all three points!
KEY STATS
Real Madrid have now recorded their longest unbeaten run in history (35 games).
Sergio Ramos has scored five goals this season, more than any other defender in La Liga.
Mariano Diaz has become the first player from Dominican Republic to score in La Liga.
Joselu has scored three goals with just three shots on target in La Liga (one for Real Madrid, two for Deportivo La Coruna.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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