Gareth Bale scores as Real Madrid start title defence with win over Deportivo
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Updated 21/08/2017 at 08:43 GMT
La Liga, Estadio Riazor - Deportivo La Coruna 0 Real Madrid 3 (Bale 20', Casemiro 27', Kroos 62')
Deportivo de la Coruna vs Real Madrid - A Coruna, Spain - August 20, 2017 Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
Real Madrid got their La Liga title defence off to a winning start, claiming a 3-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor.
Zinedine Zidane’s side were without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for the league curtain-raiser, with Gareth Bale partnering Karim Benzema up front and Isco in behind. Gareth Bale, in particular, impressed, scoring the opener after 20 minutes, with Casemiro adding a second not long after.
Deportivo La Coruña emerged for the second half with renewed vigour, but Toni Kroos added a third just after the hour mark following good work from Bale. Florin Andone was presented the chance to score from the penalty spot with just minutes left to play, but put his shot wide of the target.
Sergio Ramos, who had been fortunate to avoid a red card earlier in the match, was finally given his marching orders in stoppage time, but it did little to dampen Real Madrid’s comprehensive victory to open their Liga campaign.
TALKING POINT - Why does Sergio Ramos continue to shoot himself in the foot?
There can be no doubting Ramos’ quality as one of the best defenders in the game, but the red card shown to him against Deportivo La Coruna was the 18th of his career. It was almost as if he was intent on being sent off in the second half at the Riazor, so why does he do this so frequently? Isn’t it about time Zidane had a word with his captain?
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Luisinho of RC Deportivo La Coruna argues with Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid at Riazor Stadium on August 20, 2017 in La Coruna, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
The Welsh winger has struggled to hold down a starting place at Real Madrid over the past eight months or so, with Isco and Marco Asensio outshining him. But while he might still be recovering match fitness, this was Bale at his very best, scoring the opener and setting up Kroos for the third. Not so long ago Bale’s future at Real was under scrutiny. On this basis, he has nothing to worry about.
PLAYER RATINGS
Deportivo La Coruña - Martinez 6, Juanfran 6, Schar 6, Sidnei 5, Luisinho 6, Guilherme 7, Mosquera 5, Cartabia 6, Borges 5, Bakkali 6, Andone 6. Subs - Gama 5, Lopez 5, Valle.
Real Madrid - Navas 6, Carvajal 7, Nacho 6, Ramos 4, Marcelo 6, Casemiro 6, Modric 7, Kroos 7, Isco 7, Bale 8, Benzema 6. Subs - Llorente 5, Asensio 6, Vazquez 5.
KEY MOMENTS
20’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-1 Real Madrid: Real Madrid are up and running for the 2017/18 La Liga season and it's Bale who gets them off the mark. Benzema pounced on a rebound from a Modric shot and squared for the Welsh winger, who had a simple finish to make.
27’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Real Madrid: And there's the second goal for the defending Liga champions. Marcelo gets to the byline and fires a cross right across the face of goal, with Casemiro sticking out a foot to turn it in.
55’ RAMOS WAS LUCKY! Replays show that Ramos should have seen red. He quite clearly pushed Schar in the face. If the referee had seen that the Real captain would have been in trouble
62’ OFF THE LINE! That was close to a Deportivo La Coruna lifeline, with Andone's header from six yards out beating Navas, but Ramos was back on the goal-line to make the clearance.
63’ GOAL! Deportivo La Coruna 0-3 Real Madrid: And there's the third goal that will put this result beyond any doubt. Bale stretched his legs, cut back and passed to Kroos, who found the back of the net via a deflection.
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Toni Kroos of Real Madrid celebrates after scores the third goal during the La Liga match between Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid at Riazor Stadium on August 20, 2017 in La Coruna, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
89’ PENALTY KICK TO DEPORTIVO! Carvajal fouls Bruno and Andone will have the chance from the spot.
90’ ANDONE SHOOTS WIDE! Oh dear. The Deportivo La Coruna striker has caused Real Madrid problems all night, but from 12 yards he shoots wide. Although Navas might have got a touch on it.
92’ SENT OFF! Well, that had been coming. Ramos is shown a second yellow card and will be taking a (slightly) early bath. What's the need for it?
KEY STATS
Gareth Bale has scored the opener in each of Real Madrid’s last three league seasons.
There were 44 passes in the build-up for Casemiro's goal, the most before a Liga goal since 2006/07.
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