Another Sergio Ramos late show secured an unconvincing 3-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna as Real Madrid struggled in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

It was the first time since May 2014 that Madrid had started a LaLiga game with neither Bale or the rested Ronaldo and Benzema in their line-up, and they were indebted to late goals from Mariano Diaz and Sergio Ramos to secure a new club record of 35 matches unbeaten.

Madrid unsurprisingly enjoyed the greater share of possession, but Deportivo – sensing they will not have many better opportunities to get a result at the Bernabeu with the hosts' star trio absent – gave a good account of themselves.

Deportivo thought they had been made to rue missed opportunities just after the break, as Alvaro Morata put an anonymous first half behind him with a stunning long-range strike.

But two goals from former Madrid prospect Joselu with just over an hour played turned the match on its head and left the hosts rattled.

However, Zinedine Zidane's bold attacking tactics towards the end paid off, as Mariano levelled and then Ramos - also Madrid's last-gasp saviour in El Clasico last week - secured the win, ensuring the club's unbeaten record remains intact ahead of Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final.