Real Madrid travelled to Sporting Gijon on Saturday afternoon looking to open up a six-point lead at the top of La Liga.
The home side took a 14th-minute lead through Duje Cop, but Real Madrid were level less than three minutes later courtesy of a curling effort from Isco.
Sporting regained the lead early in the second period through Mikel Vesga, but there was another response from Real Madrid as Alvaro Morata levelled the scores in the 59th minute.
Isco then won it for the visitors in the final minute with a sensational strike from distance.
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 El Molinon as struggling Sporting Gijon welcome the league leaders Real Madrid, who will be looking to open up a six-point lead over second-place Barcelona with a win this afternoon. Both sides are desperate for all three points, but for very different reasons indeed. Stay tuned for all of the action from Gijon, it should be a good one!
Real Madrid have won four of the last five La Liga meetings between the two teams, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse match at the Bernabeu earlier this season. The points were shared in a goalless draw when they clashed in this stadium during the 2015-16 campaign, however, while Sporting do have a recent league win over Real Madrid to their name – 1-0 at the Bernabeu in April 2011.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Gijon. Sporting have had four days to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in Champions League quarter-final action away to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night – recording a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena in the first leg. As expected, Zinedine Zidane has made alterations this afternoon...
TEAMS!
GIJON: Cuellar; L.Castellano, Mere, Babin, Amorebieta, Lopez; Gomez, Vesga, Alvarez, Carmona; Cop
REAL: Casilla; Danilo, Ramos, Nacho, Coentrao; Kovacic, James, Isco; Vasquez, Morata, Asensio
Spanish forward Burgui misses out for the home side this afternoon through suspension, while Juan Rodriguez and Lacina Traore are both absent through ankle and foot injuries respectively. In-demand centre-back Jorge Mere is once again in the XI, however, with the Spaniard hoping to impress against Real Madrid. Duje Cop returns from a slight knock, meanwhile, to lead the line.
As for Real Madrid, head coach Zinedine Zidane has incredibly made nine changes to the team that started the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final away to Bayern Munich during the week. Only centre-back pairing Sergio Ramos and Nacho keep their spots, while there is a first La Liga start of the season at left-back for Fabio Coentrao. Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez and Alvaro Morata will start as the front three for the Spanish giants as Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are all rested.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Gijon. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos were in Champions League quarter-final action away to Bayern on Wednesday night, where they recorded a 2-1 win. Arturo Vidal sent Bayern ahead on the night, but a second-half double from Cristiano Ronaldo secured a very impressive result for the reigning champions.
Real Madrid entered last weekend's Madrid derby at home to Atletico Madrid off the back of five straight La Liga victories. It appeared that would become six when they led 1-0 into the latter stages at the Bernabeu, but Antoine Griezmann's late effort ensured that the points would be shared. It looked to be two points lost for Los Blancos, but it turned out to be one point gained.
Indeed, Real Madrid now sit three points clear of second-place Barcelona at the top of the table with a game in hand. The reigning champions had the chance to move level on points when they visited Malaga last weekend, but a 2-0 defeat at La Rosaleda put the title race firmly in the hands of Real Madrid. Victory this afternoon and Zidane's side would open up a six-point lead at the summit.
Los Blancos are unbeaten in La Liga since suffering a 2-1 defeat at Valencia on February 22, while they have been strong on their travels this season – winning 10 of their 14 fixtures, losing just twice. They have conceded 16 times on their travels though, which is more than both Atletico and Villarreal.
In terms of what is ahead for Zidane's team, they will host Bayern in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final next Tuesday, before the small matter of a league game against Barcelona on April 23. If Barcelona are to stand any chance of retaining the title this season, then surely Luis Enrique's side will need to collect all three points from the Bernabeu next weekend.
Real Madrid's final five league matches are against Deportivo (A), Valencia (H), Granada (A), Sevilla (H) and Malaga (A), and it is difficult to imagine them dropping too many points during that run of fixtures. They also still have a clash with Celta Vigo to rearrange, and that spare match could prove vital.
As for Sporting, Rubi's side currently sit 18th in La Liga - five points behind 17th-place Leganes with seven games left to play. It is far from a terminal situation, but the Red and Whites do need to start putting some points on the board if they are to secure another season of top-flight Spanish football.
Sporting survived by the skin of their teeth last season – finishing 17th in La Liga – but they will enter this match having won just won of their last eight in the league. They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Malaga in their last home match on April 5, before losing 3-1 at Real Sociedad on Monday night. This afternoon is a tough game for Sporting, but they have a massive fixture away to fellow strugglers Osasuna next weekend. Defeat in that one and it could well be good night for the season.
Sporting have the second-worst home record in the league this season, however, having collected just 14 points from their 15 matches. Only Osasuna have conceded more home goals, meanwhile, which is an indication of their struggles. The battle to stay in the division is still open at this stage!
Just a reminder of the two teams this afternoon...
TEAMS!
GIJON: Cuellar; L.Castellano, Mere, Babin, Amorebieta, Lopez; Gomez, Vesga, Alvarez, Carmona; Cop
REAL: Casilla; Danilo, Ramos, Nacho, Coentrao; Kovacic, James, Isco; Vasquez, Morata, Asensio
Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action in Gijon. Can Sporting upset this second-string Real Madrid? Stay tuned right here to find out!
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in Gijon...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It has been a decent start from the home side, although Real Madrid have had a couple of chances to counter-attack in the last 60 seconds or so. You sense the first goal here - if there is one - could be vital.
Quite a scrappy game at the moment as both teams battle for control of the possession. The home supporters are in fine voice as they drive their team forward, although there has not been a chance or serious attack of note in the opening five minutes. Pretty uneventful thus far in Gijon.
Lucas Vasquez breaks into the Sporting box before looking to pick out a teammate with a deep cross, but Babin is up to make the clearance, and Alvarez can clear into the Real Madrid half of the field.
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Gomez breaks down the left before picking out the head of Cop at the far post, but Nacho is on hand to make a vital clearance!
Coentrao is making his first league start of the season this afternoon, and the Portugal international has been bright down the left for the visitors. Isco is also starting to see more of the ball as he picks up pockets of space in dangerous positions. Still goalless with 10 minutes played though.
A free kick from James finds a route through to Ramos, but the centre-back cannot make proper contact and Cuellar is on hand to claim. Real Madrid are just starting to dominate the ball here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid as Lucas meets a cross from Danilo, but his header just misses the target! That was a super delivery from Danilo though.
GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-0 Real Madrid (Cop)
Breakthrough! The home side take the lead in the 14th minute as Cop watches a wonderful flick from Vesga straight onto his left foot, and the striker's volley ends up in the back of the net!
It was always going to be a risk for Real Madrid to go with a reserve XI in this match, and Sporting indeed lead with 17 minutes on the clock. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals, but there will be no Ronaldo, no Benzema and no Bale to rely on to turn things around.
GOAL! Sporting Gijon 1-1 Real Madrid (Isco)
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful goal that is. Isco levels the scores for Real Madrid as he turns inside a crowded Sporting box before curling a quite wonderful effort into the top corner of the net!
Super game of football here as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Sporting have decided to simply attack Real Madrid this afternoon and hope for the best. That is a very brave tactic, and you sense that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Babin has been a towering presence at the heart of the Gijon defence this afternoon, with the number three winning everything that comes into the home side's box. Real Madrid are the team on the front foot as they continue to probe, although Gijon are dangerous on the counter-attack.
Decent spell for Granada in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy possession in Real Madrid's half of the field, although Casilla is pretty comfortable in the Real Madrid goal at the moment.
Half-chance for the away side as Morata meets a deep cross from Vasquez, but his header was always too high. The Spain international might have done better after getting above Babin.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last few moments as they pass and probe in the final third, but Sporting's five-man defence continues to shuffle across the pitch and clear down-field.
Just a reminder that a win for Sporting Gijon would see them move to within two points of 17th position, while all three points for Real Madrid would see them move six points clear at the top of the table. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.
End-to-end football in the last few minutes as both teams continue to commit players forward, but we are still level at 1-1 entering the latter stages of the first 45 minutes in this La Liga clash.
Super defending from Lopez as the home side's left-back manages to scoop a James cross clear with Vasquez threatening to turn home at the far post. There have not been too many clear chances in this first period, but Real Madrid, as expected, look the more dangerous in the final third.
Vasquez fires over the Gijon crossbar from just outside the box.
It must be said that the opening 40 minutes of this La Liga clash has flown past.
Asensio gets down the right for Real Madrid before firing a low cross into the Sporting box, but Mere manages to clear under pressure from Morata, who looked favourite to fire home.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous area as Gomez brings Danilo to the deck...
... James's delivery hits the wall, dropping behind for a corner, which is also cleared.
HALF-TIME: Sporting Gijon 1-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid drawing 1-1 at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijon. The home side made the breakthrough in the 14th minute courtesy of a super finish from Cop, but Isco's curling effort levelled the scores three minutes later.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 70%, while they had five attempts in the first period, although just one of those - the goal - was on target. Sporting Gijon, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their two attempts. Just the one booking - Alvarez in the 34th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Mariano Diaz, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are all on the bench for Real Madrid this afternoon, but there is no Benzema, no Ronaldo and no Bale. As for Sporting, the home side have options in the shape of Castro, Canella, Cases and Afif. Will there be any changes at the break?
RESTART! Sporting resume the action on home soil...
... 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 develops here.
SAVE! Sensational chance for the away side to take the lead as Nacho meets a deep free kick from James, but Cuellar is on hand to make a wonderful point-blank save!
GOAL! Sporting Gijon 2-1 Real Madrid (Vesga)
Sporting are back ahead, and it is a wonderful header from Vesga, who flicks his effort into the top corner after meeting a header from Babin. The home side regain the lead against Real Madrid!
Real Madrid managed to answer back pretty quickly after conceding in the first period, and they are very much on the front foot at the moment here as they commit players in the final third.
Cuellar is on hand to keep out James's effort from distance.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they look for space in the final third of the field, but Sporting are not giving too much away. Marcelo is preparing to enter the field for the away side here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Marcelo replaces Coentrao for the visitors.
GOAL! Sporting Gijon 2-2 Real Madrid (Morata)
Real Madrid level the scores in the 59th minute as Morata heads a wonderful Danilo cross into the bottom corner. The pressure was increasing on Sporting, and we are now at 2-2 here.
BOOKING! Lillo (Gijon) is booked for barging Morata to the deck.
CLOSE! Danilo's header from a James cross is just wide!
CLOSE! Cop sends a low effort just wide of the Real Madrid post!
Real Madrid have the ball in the back of the net through Morata, but the offside flag had long been raised. Sporting just cannot seem to put together any sort of passing sequence at the moment.
Cuellar collects a header from Morata, which did appear to be heading for the top corner. Sporting are straight down the other end with Carmona, but the number 19's strike is gathered by Casilla. Still more than 25 minutes of football to play, with the two teams currently locked at 2-2 here.
SPORTING SUB! Cases replaces Gomez in the home side's first change.
Sporting are just about surviving at the moment as Real Madrid continue to deliver into the home side's box. I would not be surprised if we saw Mariano introduced in the next few minutes here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Indeed Mariano is on for Vasquez.
CLOSE! Marcelo's low strike is deflected just wide of the far post following super work from Isco inside the Sporting box. The pressure is relentless at the moment here.
James's curling effort just misses the post as Sporting survive another dangerous moment.
Little under 15 minutes of football remaining here, and the two teams are still locked at 2-2. It has been a better last few minutes for Sporting, meanwhile, with the home side easing the pressure.
Mariano and Amorebieta clash following a race between the two players, but the referee allows the play to continue. Real Madrid are now the team struggling to get out of their own half here.
BOOKING! Lopez (Sporting) is booked for a poor challenge on Nacho.
SPORTING SUB! Ndi replaces Cop for the home side.
Real Madrid are back on the front foot here as they go in search of a third goal, which would surely be enough to secure all the points. Mariano meets a corner from James, but his header is over!
Ramos is the latest Real Madrid player to head wide as it remains 2-2 in Gijon.
Real Madrid continue to launch the ball into the Sporting box, but the home side are clearing their lines time and time again. We are into the final five minutes of this key La Liga fixture.
BOOKING! Cases (Gijon) is booked for a foul on Isco.
Still time for Real Madrid to grab a late winner in this match.
BOOKING! Morata (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
REAL MADRID SUB! Casemiro replaces Kovacic for the visitors.
GOAL! Sporting Gijon 2-3 Real Madrid (Isco)
Stunning, just stunning! Real Madrid surely win this late on as Isco turns outside the Sporting box before firing a wonderful finish into the bottom corner. Just stunning from the Spaniard!
GIJON SUB! Afif replaces Alvarez for the home side.
BOOKING! Afif (Gijon) is booked for a late challenge on Asensio.
We are into the final seconds here.
FULL-TIME: Sporting Gijon 2-3 Real Madrid
What a massive win for Real Madrid, who have done it once again. The Madrid giants move six points clear of reigning champions Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a last-gasp 3-2 win at Sporting Gijon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you soon!
