Real Madrid came from behind to record a 7-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna in Sunday afternoon's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidane's side entered the match having lost their last two league fixtures on home soil, and they fell behind to the relegation-threatened visitors in the 23rd minute of the contest.
Los Blancos then scored seven times without reply, however, to return to fourth position in La Liga ahead of Villarreal. The reigning champions are now 16 points off league leaders Barcelona on the same number of fixtures.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the reigning champions Real Madrid welcome Deportivo La Coruna. Real Madrid have fallen 19 points off league leaders Barcelona following a poor run of form, and failure to win this afternoon would heap more pressure on head coach Zinedine Zidane. Stay tuned for all of the action from the Spanish capital!
Real Madrid recorded a 3-0 win over Deportivo when they travelled to La Coruna on the opening weekend of the season. Gareth Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos were all on the scoresheet for the Spanish champions. Last season's clash at the Bernabeu was a lot closer, however, with Real Madrid needing a 92nd-minute winner from Sergio Ramos to record a 3-2 success.
Real Madrid have won 13 of their last 14 league matches against Deportivo, and have only lost one of their last 32 home top-flight fixtures against their opponents here. The home side might be short on confidence, but there is a reason why they are the overwhelming favourites to triumph in this match.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Deportivo have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in Copa del Rey action on Thursday night – recording a 1-0 win over Leganes in the first leg of their quarter-finals. Right, team news...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Ronaldo, Mayoral, Bale
DEPOR: Ruben; Juanfran, Schar, One, Luisinho; Guilherme, Borges, Mosquera; Adrian, Andone, Perez
Karim Benzema is back on the bench for Real Madrid after recovering from injury, but it is Borja Mayoral that starts through the middle ahead of the likes of Marco Asensio and Isco. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are also in the XI, but club captain Sergio Ramos remains on the sidelines.
As for Deportivo, centre-backs Raul Albentosa and Sidnei both miss out through injury, meaning that there will be a league debut for 23-year-old Steve Aldo One at the heart of the defence. On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde is unavailable to face his parent club, but on-loan Arsenal forward Lucas Perez does start in the final third. Attacking XI for the visitors this afternoon.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 30 minutes from kickoff at the Bernabeu. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who will enter this match fourth in the table – an incredible 19 points off the league leaders Barcelona.
Unless something staggering happens in the final months of the campaign, Real Madrid will concede the title that they so impressively won last season. Not only are Los Blancos 19 points behind Barcelona, they are now 11 points behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. That said, Diego Simeone's side have now played two games more than their capital rivals.
Real Madrid have lost their last two home league matches after the 3-0 defeat against Barcelona before the international break was followed by a 1-0 loss to Villarreal last weekend. Zidane's side had a whole host of chances to score against the Yellow Submarine, but a late goal from Pablo Fornals saw the Spanish champions make it just one point from their last three league fixtures.
Real Madrid did beat Leganes in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, and will also fancy their chances of overcoming Deportivo. They face a trip to Valencia next weekend, however, and Los Che will be confident of causing the champions plenty of problems. It is a difficult period of the season for Zidane's team.
As for Deportivo, Cristobal's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia last weekend. The Blues and Whites have not won in the league since the start of December, with a four-game winless run – which has included three defeats – leaving them in 18th position in Spain's top flight.
Four wins, four draws and 11 defeats have brought Deportivo just 16 points. They are two points behind 17th-placed Levante, and will enter this match having won just one of their nine away La Liga fixtures this season. Real Madrid might be struggling, but Deportivo are really not in the best of form.
Deportivo have finished 16th, 15th and 16th in La Liga since returning to the top flight, and it does appear that it will be another difficult campaign. They will be wary of dropping into the second tier, but do have some winnable matches coming up. Indeed, next weekend they will welcome Levante. Right, the time for talking is almost over. It is Real Madrid against Deportivo at the Bernabeu, and kickoff is next!
KICKOFF! Deportivo kick things off at the Bernabeu...
... plenty of possession for Real Madrid in the early moments, and it must be said that there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. The fans are with Los Blancos at the moment.
Bale delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Ruben is on hand to collect. Nothing much from the away side in the early stages of this match, with Andone a lone figure in the final third of the field. Real Madrid appear intent on making the early breakthrough here.
Bale finds the head of Ronaldo with a super cross, but the number seven misses the target.
SAVE! Deportivo goalkeeper Ruben keeps out a strike from Mayoral, who had met a cross from Modric. Real Madrid look in the mood to put on a performance here.
Bale is unmarked at the far post, but Ronaldo cannot find the Welshman with a cross. Real Madrid are absolutely dominating this game at the moment as Deportivo struggle to break out here.
Deportivo have had the chance to break on a couple of occasions in the last minute or two, but Real Madrid quickly regain the ball. Marcelo delivers a low cross into the Deportivo box, but Ruben collects.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they continue to move the ball in the final third. Bale looks favourite to meet a through pass from Modric inside the Deportivo box, but Schar is on hand to make the clearance. So far, so good for the visitors with 12 minutes on the clock here.
You do get the feeling that the first goal is on its way as Real Madrid press and press here.
Half-chance for the visitors as Mosquera breaks into the Real Madrid box, but the midfielder's effort is straight into the arms of Navas. Adrian did well in the build-up for the visitors.
Smart defending from Casemiro as the Real Madrid midfielder manages to deny Andone just outside the home side's box. Casemiro did very well to play the ball before the man.
Well, 20 minutes on the clock, and we are still goalless. Deportivo have been under pressure for much of this match, but their manager will be delighted that the score is still level. The noise inside the Bernabeu has dropped, which will be a concern for Real Madrid. Deportivo continue to defend well.
Pretty quiet Bernabeu at the moment as Ruben collects a cross from Marcelo.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Deportivo (Adrian)
Oh my word! Deportivo take the lead in the 23rd minute as Adrian Lopez taps a low Lucas Perez cross into the back of the net from close range! Incredible moment for the away side here.
The Bernabeu is almost silent at the moment as Real Madrid pass and probe in Deportivo's half of the field. It had to be former Atletico attacker Adrian Lopez that made the breakthrough here.
CLOSE! Marcelo volleys a deep Bale cross just wide of the Deportivo goal!
SAVE! Stunning save from Ruben to keep out a close-range Ronaldo header!
CLOSE! Casemiro heads the resulting corner just wide of the post!
POST! It just is not falling for Real Madrid in the Deportivo box as the away side continue to clear their lines. The pressure is constant at the moment, and Marcelo's low strike crumbles under Ruben before hitting the post. Deportivo are really riding their luck at the moment.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Deportivo (Nacho)
Well, it was coming. The home side level the scores in the 32nd minute as Nacho finds the far corner with an effort from just inside the Deportivo box! Good cross from Marcelo to find the centre-back.
Super game of football at the moment as Real Madrid continue to drive forward. Deportivo remain a threat on the counter, however, with Adrian causing problems in a wide position here.
Modric heads a Carvajal cross into the arms of the Deportivo goalkeeper.
Deportivo really cannot afford to concede a second before the half-time interval. Real Madrid could have had four or five in this first period, but the visitors deserve credit for an impressive performance.
BOOKING! Andone (Deportivo) is booked for a poor challenge on Casemiro.
Little under five minutes of the first period remaining, and we are still locked at 1-1. Bale just had the chance to break clear down the right, but Schar was across to make a good challenge.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Deportivo (Bale)
What a super goal that is! Real Madrid take the lead in the 42nd minute as Bale collects a deep cross from Marcelo before picking out the top corner with a brilliant curling effort!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Deportivo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Deportivo 2-1. The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute through Adrian Lopez, but Nacho levelled before Bale sent the home side ahead. Really good 45 minutes of action in Madrid!
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 68%, while they managed 12 attempts - six of which were on target. Deportivo, meanwhile, hit the target with each of their two attempts. Just the one booking to report - Andone for a very late challenge on Casemiro.
BENCH WATCH! Deportivo have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Bakkali, Colak and Gil all capable of making a difference in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Isco, Asensio, Benzema and Lucas. Plenty of talent there!
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period continues to gather pace here.
DEPORTIVO SUB! The visitors are forced into a change early in the second period as Mosquera, who looks to have a hamstring problem, is replaced by Edu.
Opportunity for the home side as Carvajal breaks into the Deportivo box before looking to deliver a low cross into Ronaldo, but Schar does very well to put his body in the way, and win a free kick.
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Marcelo finds Bale at the far post. Bale sets up Modric, but the midfielder hits the side-netting! Deportivo are under pressure here.
CHANCE! Mayoral just fails to make contact on a low cross from Marcelo as Real Madrid continue their search for a third goal. Deportivo just cannot get out of their own half here.
DEPORTIVO SUB! Borges is replaced by Colak for the away side.
You do get the feeling that a third for Real Madrid would kill this match as a contest. Deportivo are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as the home side continue to dominate.
BOOKING! Perez (Deportivo) is booked for dissent.
SAVE! Stunning save from Ruben to keep out a close-range Casemiro header!
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Deportivo (Bale)
Real Madrid have their third of the match as Bale heads a Kroos corner into the back of the net. Bale now has six league goals for the season - two more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Deportivo win a free kick in a promising area as Perez brings Casemiro to the deck...
... Guilherme delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but the offside flag is raised.
CHANCE! Mayoral heads a Bale cross wide of the post.
REAL MADRID SUB! Benzema replaces Mayoral for the home side.
Ronaldo finds space inside the Deportivo box, but the number seven can only curl his effort wide of the post. Ronaldo really needs a goal in this match, but it has not happened once again.
Still more than 20 minutes of football to play at the Bernabeu, and Deportivo need a goal back quickly if they are to have any hope of picking up a positive result from this position.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Deportivo (Modric)
Modric makes it 4-1 Real Madrid as the Croatian fires home from the edge of the box following a brilliant flick from Ronaldo. That is the midfielder's first league goal of the campaign.
MISS! Andone somehow turns over the Real Madrid crossbar from close range!
OFF-THE-LINE! Nacho clears an Andone effort off the line!
CHANCE! Real Madrid are not finished here as they continue to force the issue. Ronaldo has another chance inside the Deportivo box, but his effort is somehow wide of the post!
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid are still firmly on the front foot. Bale is chasing his hat-trick, while Ronaldo is desperate to get his name on the scoresheet here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Modric for the home side.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu. Deportivo have seen more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, and they are delivering some good crosses from wide areas.
GOAL! Real Madrid 5-1 Deportivo (Ronaldo)
Finally! Ronaldo gets his name on the scoresheet as the Portugal international fires a Casemiro cross into the back of the net from close range! Oh how the number seven needed that!
DEPORTIVO SUB! Gil replaces Andone for the away side.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo turns a Bale cross home, but he is offside!
REAL MADRID SUB! Bale is replaced by Lucas for the home side.
Little over five minutes of football remaining, and the home side are still pressing here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 6-1 Deportivo (Ronaldo)
Ronaldo has his second and Real Madrid have their sixth as the Portuguese heads a Lucas cross into the bottom corner. He takes a kick to the face though and stays on the deck!
Ronaldo has blood running down his face, but he will not mind too much!
Ronaldo will more than likely need stitches following that kick.
GOAL! Real Madrid 7-1 Deportivo (Nacho)
It is seven for Real Madrid as Nacho fires home from close range! following a corner!
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
SAVE! Smart save from Navas to keep out Perez from close range!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 7-1 Deportivo
So there we have it. What a game! The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid coming from behind to beat Deportivo 7-1 at the Bernabeu. Incredible game of football. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
