Deportivo La Coruna welcomed Real Zaragoza to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Saturday looking to make it three successive wins in La Liga.
It was the home side that took the lead after 11 minutes when Bruno Gama scored from close range, but a Helder Postiga penalty levelled five minutes later.
Zaragoza then took the lead through Paco Montanes, but a Carlos Marchena goal levelled the scores before the interval.
The excitement continued into the second period when an own goal from Abraham sent Deportivo into the lead with 56 minutes on the clock.
Both sides had chances in the latter stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Deportivo held on for the three vitals points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! The phrase ‘six-pointer’ is used far too often in football, but this match certainly falls into that category. Deportivo have won back-to-back matches in the league, but they still remain bottom of the division. Three points this evening, however, would move them to within one point of safety and indeed one point of Zaragoza.
Zaragoza have taken just three points from their last six matches, the second-worst run in the division. As mentioned, they sit just one spot outside of the bottom three, but do have a three-point cushion. Their away form has been quite impressive this season, however, with four wins from their 15 matches, the same number as Champions League-chasers Valencia.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Zaragoza have won three of the last five matches, remaining unbeaten in that period. As mentioned, they were 5-3 winners in the reverse clash earlier this season, while they have conceded just three goals in their last five games with Deportivo.
TEAMS:
DEPORTIVO: Aranzubia; Marchena, Pablo, Aythami, Silvio; Valeron, Aguilar, Juan Dominguez; Riki, Gama, Pizzi
ZARAGOZA: Jimenez; Sapunaru, Loovens, Abraham, Alvaro; Romaric, Movilla, Montanes, Oriol; Postiga, Rodri
So there we have it. As expected for the home side with Riki, Bruno Gama and Pizzi all starting in attack, while Juan Carlos Valeron also keeps his place. Zaragoza, meanwhile, have Helder Postiga available following a muscular injury. Here we go then. The home side get the action underway in La Coruna.
It is hard to stress just how important this match is in terms of the bottom of the table. Three points for the home side would move them to within one point of safety, which seems extraordinary based on their position a couple of months ago. Zaragoza, meanwhile, are on a torrid run of form. The first goal could be decisive in this type of match.
Bright start from the home side as Bruno Gama drives down the left before finding Riki in the box, but Loovens is across to quell the danger at the vital moment. Zaragoza attempt to force the issue down the other end as Postiga flicks a header towards Rodri, but the Spaniard just slips at the vital moment.
End-to-end football at the moment with both sides prepared to commit numbers to each attack. Movilla is involved for the home side as he cuts inside before finding Romaric, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside this stadium tonight. Everything is perfect for a game of football.
Slight problem for Riki as the Deportivo forward clashes with Loovens, with the experienced Spaniard requiring a spell of treatment. However, it does appear that he will be able to continue. Loovens is not really the type of player you want to be caught with in the air. No real chances for either side with eight minutes on the clock.
Good possession from the home side in the last couple of moments with Valeron and Juan Dominguez seeing plenty of the hall. A half-chance comes to Riki as the striker flicks the ball over Loovens before striking an effort on goal, but Roberto gets down low to make the save. Meanwhile, the referee is called into action to deal with a coming together between Montanes and Manuel Pablo.
Zaragoza force the issue moments later as they gain two corners in quick succession. However, the first is palmed over by Aranzubia before the Spanish goalkeeper comes to claim the second. Postiga is involved moments later as he dances past two challenges before striking an effort on goal, but it was always moving wide of the post.
GOAL! Deportivo 1-0 Zaragoza (Gama)
Deportivo lead! Stunning goal from Gama as the Portuguese collects possession inside the box before cutting inside and drilling a low effort into the bottom corner. As it stands, the home side are heading for their third straight win in the league.
It does appear that Zaragoza have lost form at the worst possible part of the season, but there is still a lot of football to be played this evening. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive. We have a real treat on our hands in La Coruna.
PENALTY TO ZARAGOZA!
GOAL! Deportivo 1-1 Zaragoza (Postiga)
Postiga levels the scores in La Coruna as he coolly slots the penalty into the bottom corner. It was an absolute horror moment for Aythami, who for some reason decided to handball in the penalty area. Talk about gifting your opponents a goal.
Good grief this is some match. There is hardly time to take a breath as the home side advance immediately down the other end, but Riki just cannot thread a pass towards Gama, who had beaten the offside trap. Pizzi floats a free kick into the box moments later, but it was always too long for Marchena.
Zaragoza have not lost when Postiga has scored this season, will that record be ended this evening? Zaragoza have just started to influence the match in the middle part of the pitch with Movilla and Paco Montanes seeing plenty of the ball. The opening 21 minutes of this match has just flown by.
It is the Zaragoza supporters that can be heard as we approach the midpoint in the first period. The noise rises from the home crowd as Gama evades two challenges before driving to the edge of the box, but Sapunaru comes out to foul the striker. The resulting free kick is taken short to Movilla, but Aguilar can only fire wide from close range. Big opportunity for the home side.
I would be astounded if there were not more goals in this match. Neither team has been particularly solid in defence thus far, while both look capable of scoring goals. A point is not really enough for Deportivo as they attempt to remain in the league. They simply need wins at this stage of the season. Little over 20 minutes of the half remaining.
It's really good football from the home side as Gama combines with Riki before striking an effort on goal, but Roberto just manages to quell the danger. The rebound falls to Riki, but the referee blows for an unfair challenge on the goalkeeper. The score remains 1-1, but each team is certainly on the lookout for more goals. Wonderful excitement in this La Liga encounter.
Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment with both guilty of sloppy passing in the final third. Depor have just started to look the more potent, however, with Riki, Pizzi and Bruno Gama causing problems with their movement. Little over 15 minutes of the first period to play in La Coruna.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Sapunaru meets a free kick from Postiga, but he can only head his effort wide of the post. However, the referee had blown for a free kick, with Pablo pulled to the ground in the box. You just get the feeling that the next goal could be decisive in this type of match. It is just so delicately poised.
Good possession from Zaragoza in the last couple of minutes, but they are just struggling to find a way through this Deportivo defence. Both teams have certainly tightened up in the last few minutes, but Deportivo look capable of causing problems in the final third. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play, with the scores remaining level at 1-1.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side as Aguilar pounces on a loose ball inside the penalty area, but his first effort is saved by Roberto before he fires the second over the crossbar. The midfielder calls for a penalty, but the referee books him for his troubles. You just have to take those chances in these type of games.
GOAL! Deportivo 1-2 Zaragoza (Montanes)
Zaragoza take the lead against the run of play as Montanes robs Pablo in the Deportivo half before advancing into the box and chipping his effort over the onrushing goalkeeper. Wonderful finish, but it was a horror moment for the defender. What an incredible football match.
That is football at the highest level. One moment you could be in the lead, the next you are trailing. Deportivo's recent form will count for nothing if they are unable to pick up something from this match. Little over five minutes of football remaining, with the home side in the Zaragoza half. Hardly time to take a breath in the opening 38 minutes of football.
GOAL! Deportivo 2-2 Zaragoza (Marchena)
Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of some poor challenges. The latest free kick allows Pizzi the chance to float another cross into the box, but Loovens rises highest in the box. It drops to Marchena, however, who fires home from close range.
Well, it has been some half of football. Talk about excitement and a mixture of emotions. We still have another 45 minutes to come of this match. Deportivo go in search of their third as Riki drives to the edge of the Zaragoza box, but Romaric is across to make the challenge. Little over two minutes remaining in the first period.
Not too much to report in the final moments of the first half with both sides preparing to enter the break with the scores level at 2-2. Both managers will certainly earn their money at the interval. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Deportivo 2-2 Zaragoza
Well, with two of the lowest-placed teams in the division on display, there were suggestions that it could be a dull affair. Yeah right. Wonderful opening half of football with the two sides level at 2-2. It has been arguably one of the most enthralling matches of the season to date.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had seven attempts to Zaragoza's three. The away side have certainly been clinical with both their attempts on target finding the back of the net. It is just so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Diogo Salomao and Nelson Oliveira. Meanwhile, Zaragoza have the likes of Jose Mari, Bienvenu and Franco in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
As it stands, Deportivo would move off the bottom of the table onto 24 points, but they would remain four points from safety. Zaragoza would move above Granada with a point, but they would remain perilously close to the drop. That is an indication of the importance of the second period.
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 not too surprising at this stage of the match. Just a reminder that following the completion of this game we have action from Barcelona against Mallorca. Right, the away side get the half underway.
Deportivo have dropped 21 points from winning positions this season, the most in the division. Decent start to the second period from the home side as Riki collects possession outside the box before feeding Pizzi, but Abraham is across to clear the danger. What a second half of football we have on our hands here. Let's hope for some more of the same.
It's good work from Postiga as the Zaragoza striker gathers possession from Movilla before turning in the box, but Pablo is across to quell the danger at the vital moment. It is so important that the home supporters stay with their team this evening. Sloppy period of the match with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges. A red card would not be a huge surprise in the second half.
Neither side has really settled into the half with both guilty of poor passing in possession of the ball. I just have a feeling that Deportivo will nick this due to their willingness to attack with numbers. Zaragoza have thus far been restricted to playing long towards Postiga, who could do with some support. No real chances in the opening seven minutes of the second period.
POST! It is all one-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue. Another wonderful opportunity for the home side as Aythami meets a loose ball in the box, but he can only thump his effort against the post. Deportivo really need to score during his spell of increasing pressure.
Real controversy here as Sapanaru fells Pizzi outside the penalty area, but the referee decides to keep his cards in his pocket, much to the frustration of the home crowd. Aythami has another chance moments later, but his header is cleared off the line by Loovens. Hardly time to take a breath here as Deportivo continue to create chance after chance.
GOAL! Deportivo 3-2 Zaragoza (Abraham OG)
Finally Deportivo take the lead as Abraham can only turn into his own goal from close range. Riki wheeled away, but it was the Zaragoza defender that put into his own net. The home side lead with little over 35 minutes of football remaining.
Finally Deportivo take the lead as Abraham can only turn into his own goal from close range. Riki wheeled away, but it was the Zaragoza defender that put into his own net. The home side lead with little over 35 minutes of football remaining.
Zaragoza simply cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment as they continue to hand possession back to the home side. Riki fires another wonderful cross into the box moments later, but it just would not fall for Pizzi. What an incredible football match this has been and we still have time for things to change. Deportivo lead 3-2.
The home side make a change as Aythami is replaced by Ze Castro. The midfielder could have scored three times this evening, but has been wasteful in possession. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining, you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals. As it stands, Depor would be one point from safety.
It's good work from Postiga as the Portuguese dances past two challenges before driving a low cross into the box, but Movilla just cannot make contact. Meanwhile, the away side make a change of their own as Victor Rodriguez replaces Edu Oriol, who has struggled in the second period.
Sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a host of poor challenges in the opposing half. The latest free kick allows Montanes the chance to whip a dangerous cross into the Deportivo box, but it just would not fall for Victor, with Aranzubia out to claim the danger.
Marchena joins the growing list of booked players as he fells Victor outside the penalty area. Once more Zaragoza have the chance to put real quality into a decent area, but Romaric's effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining in La Coruna, with the home side leading by the single goal.
Another half-chance for the away side as Victor floats a dangerous cross into the Deportivo box, but Aranzubia comes out to claim under pressure from Postiga. Not too much from the home side in terms of attacking threat in the last few minutes, but they are the team in the lead. Electric atmosphere inside the stadium as the challenges continue to fly in.
Postiga wants a free kick outside the box as the Portuguese clashes with Marchena, but the referee is not interested in awarding the decision. Silvio is called into action to perform such heroics moments later when he just beats Montanes to a low cross inside the box. Hardly time to take a breath here.
You just get the feeling that someone is going to lose their place on the pitch as the challenges continue to fly in from both sides, with Loovens the latest player to enter the referee's book. Will there be a late sting in the tail here? Or are Deportivo heading for a priceless win? It is just so delicately poised.
You attack, we attack, you attack, we attack. That has been the story of the last five minutes or so, well it has been the story of the match. It has been one of the most enthralling Spanish fixtures I have seen in recent seasons, and the action is still not finished. Depor make another change as Riki is replaced by Diogo Salomao.
Zaragoza make another change as Bienvenu replaces Romaric. Both sides have a host of attacking players on the pitch for the final 10 minutes of this match. It is the biggest 10 minutes in Deportivo's season there is no question about that. Meanwhile, defeat for Zaragoza would place them in serious trouble at this stage of the campaign.
Abraham attempts to force the issue for the away side as he drives into the Deportivo box before firing a cross along the edge of the six-yard box, but Aranzubia is on hand to claim the danger. Riki has turned into the boss of the home side since departing as be barks out his orders from the side of the pitch.
Another half-chance for the away side as Movilla fires a wonderful cross into the box, but Bienvenu had just moved into an offside position at the final moment. The home supporters are in wonderful voice as we approach the final five minutes. They think that their team has done enough, but you just get the feeling that there could be a late sting in the tail.
RED CARD! The away side are reduced to 10 men as Abraham is dismissed for a second yellow card. Not the best of performances from the Spaniard. You could just tell that a red card was coming as the challenges continued to fly in. Little under five minutes of football remaining.
Zaragoza make their third and final change of the match as Rodri is replaced by Adria Carmona, who is making just his second appearance for the club. Another half-chance for the home side as Pizzi drives into the Zaragoza box, but Loovens just manages to make a challenge at the final moment, before Alvaro denies Salomao at the far post.
The players are dropping like flies at the moment with cramp catching a number of men from both sides. Deportivo make their final change of the match as Pablo is replaced by Ayoze Diaz. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of added time.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to add their fourth as Pizzi attempts to meet a cross from Valeron, but Loovens just manages to clear at the final moment. Meanwhile, Depor boss Fernando Vasquez has been sent to the stands for his conduct on the side of the pitch. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining.
FULL-TIME: Deportivo 3-2 Zaragoza
So there we have it. Stunning effort from the home side as they make it three wins on the bounce with a 3-2 win over Zaragoza, who have been pulled into relegation trouble. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick with us for action from Barcelona. Until then!
