Real Madrid had to wait 19 seasons before beating Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor stadium.

It took a brace from Karim Benzema and an opener from Esteban Granero to do so. So, no Cristiano Ronaldo there as he was definitely given a two-match ban before the game.

However, Real Madrid still managed to clinch three vital points that helped them keep the pace with La Liga leaders, Barcelona.

Deportivo La Coruna 1-3 Real Madrid – how it happened:

The score sheet was opened as early as inside the 13th minute. A ‘game of headers’ was finally won by Esteban Granero. The ball was headed five times during the process inside the penalty box.

Deportivo’s Alberto Lopo couldn’t quite find the right touch and he misplaced his header which found Granero’s head. The striker eventually netted the ball home.

It was more about beauty for the second goal which came on 40 minutes. Real Madrid got Deportivo La Coruna on the counter attack.

Ricardo Kaka who was on the left hand side fed Guti in the center with a low cross. The veteran midfielder was one-on-one with Deportivo’s goalkeeper but he preferred to make a lovely back heel to send the ball backwards to Karim Benzema.

The French man made no mistake as his first time shot saw the ball roll across the goal line for Real Madrid’s second goal of the evening.

Five minutes from normal time, the home side broke in attack and the referee could have well whistled for a foul on Marcelo as the ball was harshly taken away from him. But the play continued and Deportivo La Coruna’s Riki ran into Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos before falling down in the box.

The referee quickly pointed to the spot, much to the astonishment of Ramos who seemed to think that Riki had gone down maliciously.

Riki pulled a goal back for the hosts through the penalty spot. It looked like Real Madrid were going to suffer another disappointment at the Riazor stadium but Karim Benzema sealed Los Blancos’ victory right at the end of the match.

Real Madrid won the game 3-1 in the end, and this result marked the Spanish giants’ first victory away to Deportivo in 18 years.

With Barcelona beating Sporting Gijon 1-0, the gap remained of five points between Los Blancos and the Blaugrana.

Real Madrid play against Espanyol this weekend without Cristiano Ronaldo for another time.

Watch Cristiano Ronaldo Fan’s Video Gallery. The video highlights of Real Madrid’s 3-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna are in there for you!

Angela Asante, FFT and Cristiano Ronaldo Fan Editor