Real's rapidly deteriorating season got worse after a defeat in northern Spain against a team which chose to rest many of their first-choice players for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg match against FC Porto.

Real had Zinedine Zidane sent off just before half-time and hit the woodwork three times while Diego Tristan scored in the 29th minute and Joan Capdevila added a second goal on 69 minutes to give the home side victory.

Real remain one point behind league leaders Valencia who can open up a four-point lead if they win at home to Real Betis on Sunday.

Real started well, David Beckham's pass releasing Esteban Cambiasso but his shot hit the post.

Zidane picked up his first yellow card after a quarter of an hour before Deportivo took the lead.

Djalminha started the move and Sergio streaked down the wing but was blocked by Real keeper Iker Casillas. The ball landed at the feet of Diego Tristan who stroked it through the legs of Raul Bravo and into the net.

Real were unlucky ten minutes later when Ronaldo hit a post but they went down to ten men three minutes before the break after Zidane tripped Djalminha from behind and received his second yellow card.

Ronaldo wasted a header after the break and Diego Tristan was twice foiled by Casillas before Capdevila applied the killer touch from a free kick, leaving Real's season in tatters.

Chasing a Spanish Cup, League and Champions League treble, they could now be left with nothing to show for the tens of millions spent on players.

In the night's other match, Atletico Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-2 to consolidate sixth spot in the table.