Madrid: A late penalty by Celso Borges gave Deportivo La Coruna a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league on Friday.
The match began with a minute's silence for former Rayo and Nigeria goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare, who died of cancer aged 48.
Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio Ramirez made an athletic save by getting a hand to Leo Baptistao's powerful shot in the third minute.
Costa Rica midfielder Borges opened the scoring on his Deportivo debut from a rebound after goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez parried a shot in the 10th.
"We got our teeth into the match and the squad showed great character," Borges said. "It's great to add points and I'm proud of our team who battled to the very end."
Alberto Bueno leveled in the 22nd with his seventh league goal from Baptistao's failed clearance.
Rodriguez made two saves in a row in the 45th.
"We need to concentrate more and make fewer mistakes," said Rodriguez. "We've got a lot to do to improve and I hope that we can change for our next match."
Deportivo won the penalty when defender Abdoulaye Ba held Sidnei in the area and Borges converted in the 72nd.
Deportivo rises to 13th place in the standings after 21 games, while Rayo is 10th on 23. Real Madrid leads on 48, with a game in hand.
