Real Madrid kept their La Liga title hope on track with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Deportivo la Coruna, on a day that rivals, Barcelona pumped seven goals behind Osasuna and conceded just a goal.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Barcelona but have a game in hand and will claim the title if they win their remaining matches.
With Cristiano Ronaldo rested and Gareth Bale injured, Alvaro Morata struck after 54 seconds.
In spite of brief hope of a Depor revival at 2-1, Los Blancos replied to Barca’s earlier 7-1 win over Osasuna in style.
A double from James Rodriguez – his first a clever flick over the goalkeeper – and further goals from Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Casemiro ensured Florin Andone and Joselu’s strikes for the home side were purely consolation.
Sergio Ramos was also unavailable, through suspension following his red card in Sunday’s 3-2 home loss to Barca, as Madrid made nine changes.
But, they were far from struggling for fluency in the absence of key players as Deportivo, 16th in the table and seven points clear of relegation, were brushed aside.
Next up for Madrid is a home league match against Valencia on Saturday, before their Champions League semi-final first-leg at home to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Zinedine Zidane expressed his satisfaction with the result: “We created a lot of chances in the first half and we failed to put all of them away. Many of the players who’ve featured here aren’t our regular starters and what they’ve gone out and done tonight, in terms of the tempo and discipline, was amazing”.
“I come away from here happy with the performance and everyone’s goals. The players that don’t get as many minutes are also focused and fitness-wise you couldn’t spot any difference, quite the opposite. They’re in fine shape and they’ve proved that. They’re keen to play, I’ve got a great group here and they’re all ready to face up to the challenges that lie ahead and we’ve got some real cup finals ahead of us from now on in”.
In the other major game of the night, Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona extended their La Liga goal advantage with a thumping 7-1 win over bottom side Osasuna.
Before kick-off, a huge banner was unfolded in commemoration of Messi’s landmark total 500 goals, reading : “Gracias Leo!” (Thank you Leo!).
Messi’s 501st Barca goal opened the scoring after 12 minutes, before Andre Gomes smashed in after a lovely Ivan Rakitic cross in the 30th minute.
Roberto Torres gave the away side hope in the 48th minute, but further strikes by Gomes and Messi, two from Paco Alcacer and Javier Mascherano’s first Barca goal followed.
After Messi’s 12th-minute opener, fans held up their shirts as they mirrored the Argentine’s celebration of a 93rd-minute winner – his 500th goal for Barca – at Madrid on Sunday.
Osasuna’s defeat means they will be relegated if Leganes beat Las Palmas later on Wednesday.
Messi’s haul of goals means he has now scored 49 goals this season in all competitions from 48 games.
