Deportivo La Coruna welcomed Real Madrid on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them off the bottom of the table.
The home side opened the scoring after 35 minutes when Riki found the back of the net, with that scoreline still standing at the interval.
Madrid improved in the second period, however, and were level 20 minutes from time when Kaka curled an effort into the top corner.
There was still time for late drama, as Gonzalo Higuain tapped home in the final minute to secure all three points for Madrid.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our second La Liga live commentary of the day comes from La Coruna as Deportivo welcome Real Madrid. Both sides are in desperate need of the three points as we enter the latter stages of the season, but for very different reasons. If Deportivo are to secure another season in La Liga, then they simply have to start picking up victories.
Depor, as mentioned, currently sit 20th in the table, eight points from safety. They have won just three matches all season, but all of those wins came on their own patch. Madrid, meanwhile, have suffered five defeats in the league this season, all on the road. That should at least hand the home side some confidence entering the match.
Real have second position on their mind as their capital rivals Atletico Madrid start to stutter. The gap is now four points after 24 matches, but the current Spanish champions sit an incredible 16 points behind Barcelona. They are one of the form teams in Spain, however, having taken 13 points from their last six matches.
TEAMS:
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Marchena, Ayoze, Kaka, Silvio; Valeron, Aguilar, Assuncao, Riki; Gama, Pizzi
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Arbeloa, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo; Modric, Essien, Kaka; Di Maria, Higuain, Callejon
Here we go then. Just a quick note on the main team news. No Cristiano Ronaldo for Madrid, but Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka all start. Deportivo are pretty much at full strength, however, with Pizzi, Bruno Gama and Riki continuing in attack. The away side get the action underway.
Madrid have certainly not enjoyed their time in this stadium in recent seasons. Jose Mourinho has made changes to their side this evening with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira all on the bench. The league has gone, but they will be expected to win comfortably this evening.
Deportivo, however, simply have to start picking up points. They have lost their last five matches, nine points from safety. That said, they have made a bright start to this match with Riki and Bruno Gama enjoying early touches of the ball. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere nonetheless.
Real Madrid have won just two of their last five matches, but they are on the tails of second-placed Atletico Madrid. They have a crucial couple of weeks to come, meanwhile, with their second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona and a Champions League last-16 second leg with Manchester United. Sandwiched between those two games? Barcelona away in the league.
Not too much to report in the early stages of this match with neither side really taking control of the possession. Di Maria almost has a half-chance as the Argentine collects a pass from Modric, but he just takes one touch too many, before Valeron fires an effort at Diego Lopez down the other end.
Slightly scrappy start to this match with both sides guilty of giving away a host of free kicks in the opposing half. Depor will certainly be pleased with the fact that they have got through the opening 10 minutes without conceding. In truth, neither team has created anything of note as each continues to share possession of the ball.
A half-chance comes to the away side as Modric finds Higuain in the box, but the Argentine is just ruled offside at the vital moment. There is no Karim Benzema on the bench this evening, but there is a place for Alvaro Morata, who scored against Rayo Vallecano last week. However, still not too much to get excited about in this match thus far.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Pizzi darts into the penalty area before finding Riki, but his shot is blocked by Pepe. A corner does follow with Pizzi whipping a dangerous ball towards Gama, but once more the danger is cleared. Madrid do not look too comfortable in defence with Pepe and Carvalho as the centre-backs.
Madrid have just started to gain possession of the ball with Modric and Kaka attempting to pass and probe outside the box, the latter attempts to find Higuain with a searching pass, but Aranzubia is out to clear. Deportivo's attacking threat is non-existent as this first period begins to gather pace.
A half-chance comes to the away side once more as Essien wins a free kick outside the penalty area. With no Ronaldo, Di Maria wins the vote, but his effort is just wide of the post. You have to wonder whether other Madrid players are allowed to practice in training. Does Ronaldo let them?!
Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, but cheers do arrive as Carvalho has his name taken by the referee. The resulting free kick is taken by Pizzi, who decides to play it short, but it comes to nothing. That is really poor from the bottom side in La Liga. A counter attack follows, but it comes to nothing with Modric falling to find Higuain.
Really untidy period to the match at the moment with both sides giving away possession with relative ease. You just get the feeling that there is something in this game for the home side if they can raise the tempo. Riki has not seen much of the ball in the opening 22 minutes. However, they have restricted Madrid to very few chances.
Madrid have just started to put some passes together, but they are not really threatening to open the scoring. Essien, Kaka and Modric have all been involved in short, sharp passing sequences, but Deportivo have allowed play to develop in front of them. A counter attack arrives for the home side, but Pizzi just cannot find Gama behind the Madrid defence.
A half-chance arrives for the away side as Carvalho finds Kaka in the box, but his namesake clears the danger for the home side. Callejon has an opportunity at the far post as he meets a cross from Kaka, but the Spaniard can only head wide of the post. Just about as close as they have come thus far.
The home side are forced into their first change of the match as Silvio is replaced by Alex Bergantinos. No sign of an injury to the former, but it is understood that he had been struggling with illness prior to the match. That is a big blow for Deportivo. Not a great deal to report with around 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
It's decent work from Assuncao as the Brazilian wins possession in midfield before sliding a low pass behind the Madrid defence, but Pepe is on hand to clear the danger with relative ease. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match we have action from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Sevilla.
Madrid continue to lose their battle with the offside flag as Modric is the latest player to move too early. Deportivo are holding such a high line, but they have all moved together thus far. A half-chance comes for the home side moments later, but Pizzi fires wide from just outside the box. It was certainly worth a hit with the way it sat up.
It must be said that this is not the first time Madrid have been poor away from home this season. All five of their league defeats have come on the road. Deportivo again come close as Pizzi cuts inside before curling an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves wide. Stunning effort from the Portuguese striker.
CHANCE! Just about the clearest chance of the match comes to the home side as Pizzi finds Aguilar in the box, but Diego Lopez comes out to clear at the vital moment. There is no question that Deportivo have been the more active team in the final third thus far.
GOAL! Deportivo 1-0 Real Madrid (Riki)
Good grief! Stunning opening goal from Riki as the Spanish striker collects possession in a wide area before thumping his effort into the back of the net. However, questions must be asked about the goalkeeper. He has been beaten at his near post.
That is Riki's 10th goal of the season. Madrid deserve to be behind in this match make no mistake about it. Without Ronaldo, they have just not had a creative force in the final third. However, you would expect them to respond. They have to. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Half-chance for the away side to respond as Di Maria floats a low cross into the box, but Aranzubia comes out to collect at the vital moment. Kaka comes close moments later, but he fires wide from close range. That just about sums up their first period.
Better from Madrid in the last few moments with Higuain and Modric both combining in the box, but they just cannot find that final pass. A glorious chance arrives down the other end as Pizzi curls an effort towards the top corner, but Marcelo is back clear off the line. Stunning defending from the Brazilian.
Not too much to report in the latter stages of the first period, with neither team taking care in possession of the ball. If you were a viewer of Spanish football for the first time this evening, you would not be able to tell which team were bottom and which were the current champions. Riki again comes close with a low effort, but he fires it wide of the post.
CHANCE! Deportivo again come close as Gama strikes an effort from inside the box, but this time Lopez is across to make the save. This game should be over already.
HALF-TIME: Deportivo 1-0 Real Madrid
Madrid have had some woeful away games in Spain this season, but this could just about be their worst. Deportivo, who are bottom of the table, could be 3-0 ahead at the interval. However, Riki has scored the only goal of the half. Incredible opening 45 minutes of football.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 66%, but they have had just four attempts to Deportivo's eight. But for some poor finishing, this game really would be over. Will we see Ronaldo in the second period?
What about the benches for this evening? The home side have Nelson Oliveira in reserve should they wish to increase their attacking options, but their forward players have impressed thus far. Madrid have a host of options, meanwhile, with Ronaldo, Ozil and Khedira all in the squad.
As it stands, Madrid would remain in third position in the table, four points behind Atletico Madrid. Deportivo, meanwhile, would move off the bottom of the table, with Real Mallorca dropping to 20th. Just a reminder that we have one more match to come this evening with Barcelona hosting Sevilla.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is perhaps a surprise based on events in the first half. Can Madrid respond? Or will Deportivo hang on for a vital three points? The home side get the half underway.
Ronaldo, Ozil and Khedira are all warming up for the away side. Not bad subs to have I suppose! The likes of Higuain, Modric and Di Maria have certainly not taken their chance to impress thus far. But there is still a lot of football to be played. Massive 45 minutes of football for both of these teams.
A half-chance arrives for the away side as Higuain drives into the penalty area, but Kaka is out to clear at the vital moment. Aranzubia is forced out of his goal moments later, but Depor get away with it. Already Mourinho's side have much more tempo and purpose about their football.
A half-chance comes down the other end as Pizzi whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Riki just cannot release a strike under pressure from Pepe. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Callejon meets a cross from Di Maria, but he can only fire over the crossbar. What a start to this second period.
Decent possession from Madrid at the moment as they continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but they are not really forcing the issue with the home side comfortable in dealing with the danger. This is the side that has the worst defensive record in La Liga this season, but they have risen to the occasion tonight. A half-chance arrives to Higuain, but the striker can only head wide of the target.
Deportivo have just managed to quell the Madrid threat in the last couple of moments with a decent spell of possession. They also look a threat in the final third with Riki and Pizzi continuing to trouble Pepe and Carvalho with their movement. Marcelo comes close with a strike from inside the box, but Kaka is on hand to block the danger.
Right, we have little over 30 minutes of football remaining. As it stands, Deportivo will move off the bottom of the table. But you just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match. Especially if Ronaldo is introduced in the latter stages. Both teams are threatening, but the score remains 1-0.
Good work from Modric wins a corner for his side as he evades two challenges in the penalty area, but Kaka is across to clear at the vital moment. Wait a second, Ronaldo, Khedira and Ozil have all lined up on the side of the pitch. All three might be about to enter at the same time. Wow!
TRIPLE CHANGE! Ronaldo, Ozil and Khedira enter the field with Essien, Modric and Marcelo departing. The home side also make a change with Jesus Vasquez entering the field in place of Kaka. Can the Madrid trio save their side in the remaining 30 minutes?
Madrid start to force the issue with a series of corners in quick succession, but the home side are able to quell the danger, for now. You just get the feeling that they are going to have to ride their luck in the remaining stages of this match. Have they got the capability to score again?
Madrid do have the ball in the back of the net as Higuain thumps an effort into the top corner, but he flag was raised, much to the delight of the home supporters. It must be said that Mourinho has a face of thunder on the bench. He is not happy at this club.
Ronaldo takes over free kick duties as the Portuguese wins a free kick outside the box, but his effort is straight into the wall. The pressure continues with a high cross into the box, but Deportivo continue to clear the danger. It is all one-way traffic at the moment. The home side really need a spell of possession.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net once more as Ronaldo fires over the goalkeeper, but once more the referee has his flag raised. Deportivo have had to ride their luck in this second period, but they have deserved it based on their first-half performance. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side to add their second as Marchena finds himself unmarked in the penalty area, but he scuffs his shot at the vital moment, allowing Pepe to clear the danger. What an opportunity to surely put this game beyond the current Spanish champions.
Deportivo launch another attack as Pizzi fires a low cross into the box, but Ronaldo is across to clear. The resulting corner is taken by Pizzi, but Lopez comes a long way to clear the danger. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and still Madrid cannot find that elusive final pass.
The match is just so incredibly stretched at the moment with both sides attacking with pace and numbers, but the referee is called into action to award a couple of yellow cards to each team. The latest free kick comes to the away side, with Ozil whipping a cross into the box, but Vasquez is on hand to clear. Little over 15 minutes remaining.
GOAL! Deportivo 1-1 Real Madrid (Kaka)
Wonderful goal from Kaka as he levels the scores with a sensational curling effort into the top corner. In fairness, the goal had been coming. Can Madrid score again? It would be so so harsh on the home side.
The home side make their third and final change of the match as Nelson Oliveira replaces Riki, who has run himself into the ground in this second period. Both teams have made all three changes, it is up to the players on the pitch. We are set up for some end to this match.
It is no surprise that Madrid have bossed this match since making the three changes. Deportivo just have nothing left in their legs at the moment as they fail to find their players in forward positions. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and they are hanging on here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to move into the lead as Ronaldo dances into the box before firing a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Aranzubia gets down well to make a fine save. But the pressure continues as Ronaldo heads just wide moments later.
The challenges continue to fly in from the home side as they attempt to quell the pressure. Ronaldo has just completely changed the tempo of this match. It proves that they are reliant on his services, in every competition. Little under 10 minutes remaining.
Depor are holding on for dear life at the moment as Madrid continue to feed low balls into the penalty area. Valeron does gain some ground for the home side with a mazy run, but he simply runs out of legs at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here.
Madrid continue to pass and probe outside the area, but there is no final ball for the Spanish champions. Higuain thinks that he has a chance to score as he meets a cross from Ronaldo, but the offside flag is raised. It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for Deportivo with under five minutes remaining.
A rare attack from the home side almost brings the third goal as Pizzi drives a low cross into the box, but there are no takers, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. You do get the feeling that there is one more big chance to come. Will it be taken?
GOAL! Deportivo 1-2 Real Madrid (Higuain)
Madrid have stolen it here as Ronaldo advances into the box before squaring to Higuain, who taps home from close range. It is just so cruel on the home side, who have deserved something from this match. Game over.
RED CARD! Madrid have been reduced to 10 men in the final stages as Di Maria picks up two yellow cards in quick succession. Incredible scenes. Meanwhile, we will play an additional four minutes of added time.
Not too much to report in stoppage time with Madrid comfortable in keeping hold of the possession. They have not played well this evening, but they will pick up all three points. However, their performance will not have worried the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United. Little over a minute of football remaining.
FULL-TIME: Deportivo 1-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. Madrid turn it around to secure all three points against Deportivo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for action from Barcelona. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
