Deportivo La Coruña 2 - Real Madrid 0

Deportivo: Munúa; Manuel Pablo, Coloccini (Romero 78'), Andrade, Capdevila; Sergio, Mauro Silva (Scaloni 54'); Víctor, Valerón, Luque (Fran 74'); Diego Tristán. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Raúl Bravo (Palencia 57'), Samuel, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Gravesen, Figo, Zidane (Solari 27'); Portillo (Celades 75'), Owen. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Deportivo: Coloccini, Mauro Silva, Víctor for Pablo Amo, Duscher, Scaloni / Madrid: Pavón, Roberto Carlos, Zidane, Portillo for Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Guti, Solari.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Luque. Got ahead of Bravo to head in Sergio cross on near post.
2-0. 13. Pavón (own goal). Headed cross from Víctor back over head of Casillas.

Real Madrid threw away a chance to close up on leaders Barcelona after they lost 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruña, their second defeat in a row in the league. Injuries and a bout of flu meant that Luxemburgo had to put out a makeshift side, with Raúl Bravo at makeshift right back and Michael Owen and Portillo playing up front. But they found themselves two down with less than fifteen minutes on the clock, Luque starting things off with a near post header from Sergio's cross, and Madrid defender Pavón heading their second over the head of Casillas whilst trying to clear Víctor's cross.

In between Figo could have got one back when Munúa flung himself to his left to tip a long shot round the post, but Sergio could have added to the Galicians lead with a clever chip which Casillas just managed to tip over the bar. Diego Tristán should have scored when free in front of the keeper, but he choose to try and score under his feet, and the first half ended with Portillo and Figo putting Munúa to the test again.

After the break Irureta's side shut up shop, with Coloccini proving why Deportivo moved to sign him in the winter transfer window. Mauro Silva went off and Fran came on for what will be their last games against Real Madrid before retiring, and both sides had their chances, with Beckham firing a free kick over the bar and Tristán failing to to find the target after Luque set him up.

In the end though a disastrous result for Luxemburgo's side at a ground where they have not won now for fourteen years, and the league title slips a little further away from their hands. Deportivo move up the table to within five points of the European spots pending Sunday's games, hoping that their second league win against the Galacticos this season will kick start their revival.