Real Madrid snatched a dramatic win at relegation-threatened Sporting Gijón with a last-minute goal from Isco to keep Zinedine Zidane’s side on course for the Spanish league title.

The Croatian forward Duje Cop volleyed Sporting into the lead on 14 minutes, only for Real – who made nine changes from the midweek Champions League win over Bayern Munich – to hit back quickly when the midfielder Isco lashed the ball into the top corner.

Mikel Vesga’s looping header put Sporting, who started the day five points adrift of safety, back in front at the start of the second half and put the prospect of an upset back on the cards.

The visitors, though, were level again just before the hour when Álvaro Morata nodded in at the back post.

Just when it looked as if Sporting would hold on for a point, Isco drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area to keep Real in charge at the top of the table, with the Clásico to come next weekend.

In Saturday’s early kick-off, Deportivo La Coruña eased their relegation concerns after beating Málaga 2-0 to record a first victory in five La Liga games.

Depor had picked up only one point in four matches since stunning Barcelona 2-1 a month ago, but second-half goals from Joselu and Pedro Mosquera helped them see off Málaga.

The on-loan Stoke forward Joselu opened the scoring two minutes after half-time at the Riazor when he powerfully headed in a left-wing cross. The Substitute Mosquera added a second in the 67th minute with a close-range finish to earn Depor, who started the weekend only six points above the drop zone, a much-needed win.