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
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
Player ratings
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.
Who’s up next?
Real Madrid v Leganes, Cope Del Rey, Wednesday, January 24
Deportivo La Coruna v Levante, LaLiga, Saturday, January 27
