Published on 04:10 AM, April 27, 2017

Madrid run riot to keep pace

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez scored a fantastic brace against Deportivo La Coruna as the visitors put six past their hapless opponents at the Riazor Stadium on April 26. Photo: Reuters

An under-strength Real Madrid crushed Deportivo La Coruna 6-2 to pull level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Wednesday.

Isco ran the show for Los Blancos in Galicia and got on the scoresheet along with James Rodriguez, who hit a brace, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez and substitute Casemiro.

With Sergio Ramos suspended and Gareth Bale injured, Zinedine Zidane made nine changes for the trip to the Riazor but Madrid’s reserves made light work of Depor, for whom Florin Andone and Joselu scored consolation goals.

Madrid have 78 points from 33 games, while Barcelona have the same tally, having played 34, after their 7-1 win earlier over Osasuna, who were relegated after Leganes’s 3-0 triumph over Las Palmas.