First Division - Day 38

Deportivo 0 - Real Madrid 2

Deportivo: Pletikosa; Manuel Pablo, Arribas (Rober 71’), Sidnei, Fernando Navarro; Alex Bergantiños, Mosquera (Celso Borges 76’); Fede Cartabia, Luis Alberto, Fayçal Fajr (Oriol Riera 76’); Lucas Pérez. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos (Isco 61’), Casemiro, Modric; Bale (Jesé 76’), Benzema, Ronaldo (James 46’). 4-3-3.

Goals:
0-1. 07. Ronaldo. Turned ball in on far post after Benzema played on Bale cross.
0-2. 25. Ronaldo. Header from Kroos corner which took deflection off Mosquera.

Yellow cards: Kroos 49’, Mosquera 56’, Sergio Ramos 85’, Modric 90’.

Real Madrid finish the season in second spot, a point behind Barcelona, despite a run of twelve victories in a row. The Merengues needed to win at the already safe Deportivo and hope that their arch-rivals dropped points, and they got off to a best possible start when Bale and Benzema combined for Ronaldo to score the opener in the eighth minute. Ramos and Modric went close soon afterwards, and midway through the first half Ronaldo got his second of the night with a header from a Kroos corner which went in off the back of Mosquera, the referee waving away claims for a possible foul by Bale on Arribas. Pletikosa had to save from Benzema, and Ronaldo hit the woodwork twice, but at half time Zidane decided, with the game already won, to rest the Portuguese striker for the upcoming Champions League final. Depor did try to get back in it, Fede shooting wide just before the break, and Keylor Navas having to save from Lucas Pérez and Rober after the restart, but James and Isco could have added to the lead later on. News came in though that Barça had won, and Madrid’s only hope now of a title is to beat Atlético in Milan.