Real 6 - 2 Deportivo (392021092)

Dark skies made the crowd of 12000 at Real E Arena a little nervous, but the rain held off. Antim Balaci was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Salomon Ammon and Zacharie Canet. Real decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players took the field: Matute - Otamendi, Castro, Alfaro, Nieto - Beltrán, Ulate, Landino, Avendaño - Arreaza, Rocha.

A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Deportivo. They fielded: Sirias - Cabrera, Álvarez, Osuna, Bautista - González, Pérez, Villareal, Godínez - Coto, Fajardo.

The guests took the lead 7 minutes into the match, after a right-side attack resulted in H. González scoring to make it 0 - 1. After 14 minutes Real's P. Otamendi limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. 15 minutes into the match, Deportivo's H. González demonstrated his famed speed as he raced past his marker and passed the ball to D. Coto who chipped it in for 0 - 2. Real's A. Beltrán's long shot really ought to have found the net 24 minutes into the match, but it fell just wide of the target. Real's fans were urging them forward as they tried to get back into the game, and their vocal support was rewarded 30 minutes into the match as M. Rocha ran onto a beautiful ball played through the visitors' defence and slotted it past the keeper to reduce the deficit. 1 - 2. With a shot curled in from just outside the middle of the penalty area after 34 minutes played, P. Otamendi of Real made the score 2 - 2. Real's P. Arreaza was shown a yellow card after 35 minutes for slicing down an opponent. The celebrations in the stands could only mean one thing - P. Otamendi's free kick had found the back of the net and put Real ahead 3 - 2! The teams went for the halftime break at 3 - 2. Real claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

Real were given a gift! The ref dubiously awarded them a penalty 50 minutes into the match, which was neatly put away by P. Otamendi. 4 - 2 for the home side. By then P. Otamendi had scored three goals - a hat trick! At this point, it was obvious that the players of Real lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. G. Villareal could've grabbed a goal for Deportivo 54 minutes in when he got a pass from the left putting him free of the home side's defence, but he was unable to take advantage of the situation. Real's D. Alfaro had an excellent opportunity after 73 minutes, shooting after receiving a pass from the right hand side, but he missed the goal by miles! After 79 minutes, Real sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached R. Castro, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 5 - 2. Real's D. Landino increased the lead to 6 - 2, after he saw his shot go between the legs of the advancing goalkeeper following some good play down the right wing after 85 minutes. Deportivo's A. Godínez refused to leave the field after injuring his achilles tendon after 86 minutes. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Real, with 66 percent of the ball.

P. Otamendi performed admirably for Real. J. Matute turned in a dismal performance, however. Most important Deportivo player was H. González. On the other hand, M. Sirias's play was disheartening. The match ends 6 - 2.