Real Madrid thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 at the Bernabeu on Sunday night to secure their first La Liga victory since December 9.
It was a much-needed win for Zinedine Zidane’s men on home soil but things could have been very different when Adrian Lopez put the away side into a shock 23rd minute lead.
However, first-half comeback goals from Nacho and Gareth Bale within the space of ten minutes put the hosts ahead.
Welsh wizard Bale made it three with a header in the 58th minute before Luka Modric added a super fourth with a long-range strike and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late brace.
Centre-back Nacho then rifled in his second and Real’s seventh with just minutes remaining.
Here, we look how Los Blancos stars rated:
Keylor Navas: Could do nothing to stop the away side’s goal and made a couple of decent stops in the second-half to deny Depor following some sloppy Real defending. 6
Dani Carvajal: It could be argued all day whether Florin Andone fouled him in build up to goal but right-back should have been stronger when going for the header. Tough afternoon. 5
Raphael Varane: Shaky for first goal and could have made challenge on Andone in lead up to it. Composed and regathered himself after that but still seems to be searching for his very best form. 5
Nacho: Took his first goal really well, combining brilliantly with Marcelo. Made super clearance on the line to deny Andone, marshalled backline and even popped up with a second. 8
Marcelo: Sluggish defensively in the first-half but redeemed himself with lovely pull-back for Nacho’s equaliser. Always offered an out-ball and got forward with his usual hustle and bustle. 7
Luka Modric: Typically neat and tidy and allowed space by Deportivo to orchestrate things from deep before he got forward to great effect in second-half. His spectacular goal was icing on the cake after good work by Bale and Ronaldo. Subbed to good ovation. 7
Daniel Carvajal was at fault for Deportivo’s goal.
Casemiro: Did plenty of the dirty work as ever and tried to shield a Madrid defence which, at times, was all too easily exposed. Had hands full and was sloppy when dispossessed just outside his own penalty area in second-half. 6
Toni Kroos: A quiet game for the German midfielder, kept things simple and showed signs he is nearing his best level again after a tricky patch of form. 6
Gareth Bale: The Welshman enjoyed an all-action run-out at the Bernabeu, netting a double goal salvo with a superb curling shot and header. Looked like he is getting back to full tilt again. 8
Borja Mayoral: Forced Deportivo goalkeeper Ruben into a save early on but faded and didn’t seem to relish his chance to lead the line. Subbed for Benzema. 5
Cristiano Ronaldo: It looked like being a very frustrating night for the Madrid club legend but he kept going and finally got the rub of the green to score twice, with two brilliantly well-taken goals. Took a heavy blow on the face, too. 7
Ronaldo scored two on what was largely a frustrating evening in the Spanish capital.
SUBSTITUTES
Karim Benzema: Entered the fray after five matches to replace Mayoral and will be pleased to get 25 minutes under his belt as he returns from injury. 5
Mateo Kovacic: Brought on for Modric to spare the Croatian’s legs and add a bit more steal in the midfield late on. 5
Lucas Vazquez: Subbed on for Bale who had ran himself into the ground but didn’t make much of an impact. 5
