With nothing but pride left to play for, Depor coach Joaquin Caparros decided to give several youngsters a run-out, but the decision backfired as the visitors ran out easy winners.

Cheli and Javi Guerrero put the Andalusians two up in the first 20 minutes, before Sant Cazorla added a second-half brace and substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle compounded Deportivo's misery with a late fifth.

Rodrigo Bodipo and Juan Rodriguez pulled goals back for the hosts in the second period.

In the build-up to the match, striker Cristian Hidalgo had talked of the need for Deportivo to finish the season with a win to "leave a good taste in the mouth" and the Catalan forward stopped the visitors from taking the lead in the very first minute.

The former Barcelona youth player got back to clear Cesar Arzo's header off the line when the experienced defender had looked certain to put his side in front.

It was a warning for the home team and Recreativo threatened again after 11 minutes, when midfielder Cazorla fired an angled shot just wide of Dudu Aouate's far post.

Jesus Vazquez then tried his luck from distance for the visitors, but was well off-target with his effort.

However, Recreativo went ahead in their next attack.

Aouate was caught out of position following Cazorla's excellent pass to Cheli and the midfielder swept the ball effortlessly into the net to put the Andalusians in front.

More was to come two minutes later as the visitors then quickly doubled their advantage.

This time Cheli was the provider, setting up Guerrero for a neat header which left the home side stunned.

Seven minutes later, things could have been even worse for Caparros' side, but Nigerian striker Ikechuckwu Uche - a former Depor target - crashed his powerful drive against the post.

It was all Recreativo at this stage and Cazorla also came close to a third goal after 32 minutes, but dragged his shot wide from 16 yards.

Aouate then produced three excellent saves to deny Uche (twice) and Guerrero as the visitors threatened to humiliate Deportivo.

But just before the break, the Galicians missed a great chance to pull a goal back when Riki failed to get on the end of Pablo Alvarez's excellent inswinging cross.

In the second half, Recre picked up where they had left off and Cazorla put the Andalusians three up after 58 minutes with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards.

Three minutes later, Deportivo again should have pulled a goal back, but Alvarez blasted wide when presented with an open goal after Juanma's shot was deflected into his path.

Substitute Bodipo also came close for the away team, but Cazorla put the game out of the home side's reach 20 minutes from time with a fourth goal.

The midfielder played a one-two with French striker Sinama-Pongolle before firing past the hapless Aouate.

Bodipo immediately struck back for Deportivo following a corner, but Recre hardly seemed bothered and restored their three-goal advantage after 74 minutes, when Sinama-Pongolle smashed home from close range.

Three minutes later, Deportivo won a penalty and Rodriguez sent Bertrand Laquait the wrong way to bring the home side to within three goals, but the scoring ended there and the Galicians concluded their campaign at the Riazor with a humiliating defeat in front of their own fans.

Neither of these sides are able to qualify for Europe now, but Recreativo remain in contention for a seventh-place finish after moving to within one point of Atletico Madrid, who lost at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday.