Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna – Story of the match

Posted Monday, January 22, 2018 by PA

Cristiano Ronaldo was left bloodied after he scored a late double as Real Madrid ended their winless LaLiga run with a 7-1 rout of lowly Deportivo La Coruna.

The Portugal international suffered a nasty cut to his head when he was caught by defender Fabian Schar’s boot as he dived to headed home Real’s sixth goal.

Nacho had earlier cancelled out Adrian Lopez’s early strike before Bale and Ronaldo both scored twice either side of Luka Modric’s effort, and Nacho completed the rout at the death.

Tweet of the match

📸 7️⃣-up at the Bernabéu!#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/NpMRwpRlQX
— Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) January 21, 2018

Star man – Gareth Bale

📸 A brace for @GarethBale11 so far this afternoon! ✌#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/2dn210tHY8
— Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) January 21, 2018

Ronaldo will inevitably claim the headlines with the dramatic nature of his departure, but Bale’s pace, invention and quality added fresh impetus to a team which has lacked thrust in recent weeks.

His two goals were brilliantly taken, but so too were the service he provided and his link-up play.

Moment of the match

Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna – Story of the match — Gareth Bale stole the show as Real Madrid routed Deportivo La Coruna (Nick Potts/PA)

Bale’s first goal demonstrated his powers to the full as he recycled a Marcelo cross on the right with Ronaldo still appealing for a penalty in the box.

Luisinho, the defender about whom Ronaldo was complaining in vain, came out to meet the Welshman, but he stepped inside him before curling an inch-perfect shot across keeper Ruben and in off the far post.

Mirror, Mirror

Few could question Ronaldo’s bravery as he was left bleeding heavily after being caught by defender Fabian Schar’s boot as he dived to head home his second goal. However, eyebrows were raised as cameras caught him checking the damage in a mobile phone as he left the pitch.

Player ratings

Real Madrid 7-1 Deportivo ⚽ 23'' Adrián ⚽ 32'' @nachofdez90 ⚽ 42'' @garethbale11 ⚽ 58'' @garethbale11 ⚽ 68'' @lukam10 ⚽ 78'' @Cristiano ⚽ 84'' @Cristiano ⚽ 88'' @nachofdez90 #RMLiga | #HalaMadrid
A post shared by Real Madrid C.F. 🏆 (@realmadrid) on Jan 21, 2018 at 9:06am PST

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas 6, Dani Carvajal 6, Raphael Varane 6, Nacho 7, Marcelo 7, Luka Modric 7, Casemiro 7, Toni Kroos 7, Gareth Bale 8, Borja Mayoral 7, Cristiano Ronaldo 7. Substitutes: Karim Benzema (for Mayoral, 64) 6, Mateo Kovacic (for Modric, 76) 6, Lucas (for Bale, 82) 6.

Deportivo La Coruna: Ruben 7, Juanfran 5, Aldo One Esteve 5, Fabian Schar 6, Luisinho 5, Pedro Mosquera 6, Guilherme 5, Celso Borges 5, Lucas Perez 6, Florin Andone 6, Adrian Lopez 6. Substitutes: Eduardo Exposito (for Mosquera, 48) 5, Emre Colak (for Borges, 54) 5, Carles Gil (for Andone, 79) 5.