Real Madrid welcomed Malaga to the Bernabeu on Saturday looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just two points.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a close-range finish from Sergio Ramos.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a golden chance to make it 2-0 after 67 minutes, but the Portuguese hit the post from the penalty spot.
Los Blancos had a second just two minutes later, however, when James Rodriguez found the top corner.
Malaga responded through Juanmi after 72 minutes, but Ronaldo had goal number 50 for the season in stoppage time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga commentary continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Malaga. The home side have once again dropped five points behind the league leaders Barcelona, who won against Valencia earlier this afternoon. It is another must-win game for Real Madrid and they will fancy their chances against a Malaga team that are currently on a four-game winless run in Spain's top flight.
Real Madrid were in Champions League quarter-final action during the week, with Carlo Ancelotti's side drawing 0-0 at Atletico Madrid in the first leg. Last time out in the league, the capital outfit recorded a 3-0 win over Eibar to make it three straight league successes. There is no room for error at this stage of the season and they will be pleased to be back at home, where they have won 13 of their 15 league games this term and lost just once. It would be a major shock if this game did not produce a home win.
Malaga, meanwhile, have not won in the league since beating basement side Cordoba 2-0 on March 15. Since then, they have lost twice and drawn twice, but a strong campaign to date has left them in seventh position in the table – four points clear of eighth-place Espanyol. That said, eight of their 11 league defeats this season have occurred on their travels. Will it become nine from 12 in this one?
Malaga have also never won at the Bernabeu in the league – losing 11 times in the process. The corresponding match last season ended in a 2-0 home victory, while Real Madrid were 2-1 winners when they travelled to La Rosaleda earlier this season. Javi Gracia's side have won at Barcelona in the league this season, however, and will be looking for a famous double. Right, confirmed team news...
TEAMS:
REAL: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; James, Ronaldo, Bale
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Sanchez, Angeleri, Boka; Darder, Recio; Samu, Juanmi, Castillejo; Amrabat
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It is yet another must-win game for Real Madrid. The away side get the first 45 minutes underway at the Bernabeu here.
Not quite a full Bernabeu this evening, but there is a good atmosphere inside the stadium. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early exchanges, but Malaga will be keen to attack this evening, which could leave space for the home side. Bale seems to have a problem here...
... Bale has signalled a pull to his calf and there will be an early change for the hosts.
SUB! The change is made as Hernandez replaces Bale.
It will be interesting to see whether that change was a precaution ahead of the Atletico match or whether it is a long-term injury for the Welshman. Fairly laboured opening six minutes to this one.
Well, it has been a very untidy start to this game from both teams. Neither has had much in the final third, with both defences very much on top here. No opportunities to speak of thus far tonight.
Malaga have the chance to break as Amrabat runs away from two challengers, but Pepe is across to make a super block at the vital moment. Real Madrid are straight down the other end with Marcelo, but the move breaks down in a forward area. Not too much happening in terms of chances thus far.
Marcelo is the home side's main threat at the moment as he continues to drive down the left, but Malaga have been fairly comfortable defensively thus far. The supporters are already restless here!
SAVE! Good stop from Casillas as the Real Madrid goalkeeper denies Amrabat from long range.
Good pressure from Malaga as they force two corners in quick succession, but Real Madrid manage to clear the danger on both occasions. The second set piece causes concern, but it is eventually cleared.
SAVE! Tremendous save from Kameni as the Malaga goalkeeper denies Hernandez, who had met a cross from the left. The game is just starting to open up here in terms of opportunities.
Just a few signs that the home side are starting to work space in the final third, which they have found difficult in the opening 17 minutes or so. The first goal could be just crucial in this one tonight.
Juanmi shows excellent feet to turn inside the Real Madrid half, but the Spaniard is crowded out at the vital moment. Malaga will feel that they can cause some problems in the final third here.
BOOKING! Rosales (Malaga) is booked for handball.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Malaga (Ramos)
The home side take the lead with 24 minutes on the clock as Ramos converts a driven Ronaldo free kick from close range. Looked close to being offside, but the Spaniard was just level with the defender.
You just get the feeling that Malaga need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. It is difficult to imagine them coming back from 2-0 behind tonight.
SAVE! Super save from Kameni as the Malaga goalkeeper denies James, who had fired one towards the bottom corner. Real Madrid are just starting to dominate possession of the ball here.
Isco comes close to meeting a deep cross from Marcelo, but the Spaniard cannot make contact and Malaga break straight down the other end. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining here.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ramos finds the back of the net after meeting a free kick from Kroos, but the Spaniard, along with five of his teammates, was offside when the ball was delivered.
Half-chance for Malaga this time as Recio strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It is still a very open game with 35 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Real Madrid again have the ball in the back of the net, but again it is disallowed, with James caught offside. Malaga's defensive line has been pretty good tonight.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Malaga to level as Darder meets a bouncing ball inside the Real Madrid box, but he fires high and wide. What an incredible opportunity for the visitors!
Malaga have kept the ball well in this first period, but you just get the feeling that they might be made to regret a couple of missed chances. The hosts still lead 1-0 with 38 minutes on the clock here.
This has not been the best first half that Real Madrid have played this season, but they have the lead. It is results and not performances that matter most. Los Blancos just have to keep on winning.
Possession football from the home side as we approach the half-time break at the Bernabeu.
Malaga boss Javi Gracia will be pretty pleased with what he has seen from his team, but he is not too pleased with the fourth official or indeed refereeing as he involved himself in a conversation.
Ronaldo strikes one wide of the post as we enter the first and only minute of added time.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a 24th-minute effort from Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard looked offside, but replays demonstrated that he was just about level with the final defender. Real Madrid's work is far from done here, though.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 72%, while they have had five attempts - three of which have been on target. Malaga have actually had one more attempt than the home side, but hit the target just once. There has not been a single booking thus far, meanwhile.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid were forced into an early change, with Bale being replaced by Hernandez after just four minutes. However, Ancelotti still has options in the shape of Lucas Silva and Jese Rodriguez. Malaga, meanwhile, have the likes of Duda, Guerra, Horta and Tissone in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Malaga find a route back into this match? It will be tough. The home side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 15 mins or so.
The next goal in this game - if there indeed is one - will be just crucial. An equaliser would set it up very nicely indeed, but a second for the home side would surely end the game as a contest.
Half-chance for the home side as Isco leads a break before attempting to set up James, but the Spaniard's pass is too strong and the chance is gone. Not too much happening in the second period.
Ronaldo comes close with a header after meeting a set piece from Kroos, but the Portuguese's effort was always dropping over the crossbar. It remains 1-0 with 53 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
CHANCE! Malaga come close to levelling as Amrabat delivers past Kroos before flashing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. There is the threat for Malaga!
Real Madrid are far from comfortable at this stage of the match as the away side continue to enjoy periods of possession. You can just sense the tension inside the stadium, which is not surprising.
Modric has a problem for Real Madrid here following a collision with Recio.
It does not look great for Modric, but it does appear that the Croatian will be fit to continue.
SUB! Modric cannot continue following an inspection and Illarramendi enters.
BOOKING! Arbeloa (Real Madrid) is booked for a strong challenge on Boka.
In truth, this second half has not been great thus far, with neither side creating too much in the way of opportunities. However, Real Madrid will not mind how they are playing as long as the score is 1-0.
Amrabat again causes problems for Malaga as he cuts inside two defenders before sliding a pass into Juanmi, but Pepe is across to clear at the vital moment. The visitors are still very much in this game.
Another good moment for Malaga as Boka meets a loose ball on the edge of the Real Madrid box, but his effort is blocked by Kroos. That was travelling from the Ivorian! Good spell for the visitors.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid are awarded a penalty as Castillejo brings James to the ground inside the box.
POST! Ronaldo hits the post with his spot kick! Goal number 50 of the season will have to wait!
Malaga are still in this game and will be buoyed by that miss from the spot. Ronaldo had been nine from nine from the spot this season, but he has drawn a blank there! Little over 20 mins to play.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Malaga (James)
And there is the second goal! Real Madrid have daylight at the Bernabeu as James fires one into the top corner from outside the box. It was super football in the build-up from the home side!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Malaga (Juanmi)
Game on! It is raining goals! Malaga are back in this one as Juanmi heads a Rosales cross past Casillas. Not sure about some of the defending, but the visitors have struck their first blow here.
Ronaldo tries his luck from outside the box, but Kameni manages to punch clear as the action continues to flow from end-to-end. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game.
This is very open at the moment, which is not pleasing the home supporters. Real Madrid are threatening, but so are Malaga and the away side are preparing to make their first change here.
SUB! Tissone replaces Recio in the Malaga midfield.
SUB! Real Madrid make their third and final change as Carvajal replaces Arbeloa.
BOOKING! Sanchez (Malaga) is booked for a foul on Isco.
Ronaldo takes the resulting set piece, but his effort is tipped over the crossbar by Kameni.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes - Real Madrid have killed the game with a period of possession. However, Malaga will still fancy their chances in the latter stages.
BOOKING! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for bringing Amrabat to the ground.
SUB! Malaga make their second change as Horta replaces Castillejo.
Horta takes over the free-kick duties for Malaga, but his cross is headed clear by Ramos. You can just sense the tension inside the stadium. Real Madrid simply have to win this game tonight.
Amrabat leads a counter for Malaga, but the Turkish international cannot find a pass into Samu Garcia and the move breaks down in a wide position. Little over five minutes of football remaining here.
Malaga are struggling to get the ball at the moment as the home side continue to pass and probe in the final third. Is there to be some late drama at the Bernabeu? All it takes is one break-away...
BOOKING! Tissone (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Isco.
SUB! Malaga make their third change as Duda replaces Darder.
It is all very scrappy at the moment as the home side continue to buy free kicks in the final third. The home supporters are making plenty of noise, but this one is not quite over here. Not yet.
CHANCES! Real anxiety inside the Real Madrid box as Amrabat has two bites at the cherry, but the attacker cannot make proper contact from a Horta cross, before his cross towards Juanmi is cleared.
We are into the second of three added minutes here and Real Madrid are closing on another win.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their third of the match and Ronaldo has goal number 50 for the season as Hernandez drives into the Malaga box before putting it on a plate for the Portuguese. All Hernandez!
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to make it 4-1 as Hernandez feeds James, who sets up Ronaldo, but his effort hits the side netting! That should be just about that for this one.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga
So there we have it. Real Madrid go two points behind the league leaders Barcelona with a 3-1 win against Malaga at the Bernabeu. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
