Real Madrid hit Malaga for six at the Bernabeu to prevent Barcelona from securing the La Liga title on Wednesday.
They had the lead inside three minutes when Raul Albiol found the back of the net with a powerful header, but Malaga were level 12 minutes later when Roque Santa Cruz tapped home from close range.
Cristiano Ronaldo passed up the opportunity to make it 2-1 from the penalty spot after 21 minutes having been felled by Sergio Sanchez, who received his marching orders as a result.
However, he did not have to wait long to score his 200th goal for the club, with the Portuguese finding the back of the net moments later, before Mesut Ozil got in on the act after 33 minutes.
Antunes made it 3-2 with a stunning finish three minutes later, but it was four for Madrid in first-half stoppage time courtesy of Karim Benzema.
Madrid continued to dominate in the second half, with Luka Modric adding their fifth of the evening just past the hour mark, before Malaga were reduced to nine men when Martin Demichelis was given his marching orders for a rash challenge on Ronaldo.
It got worse for Malaga in the latter stages, however, when Angel di Maria added the home side's sixth with a cool finish from outside the box.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.
Match statistics:
Madrid:
Shots: 14
On target: 9
Possession: 60%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 12
Malaga:
Shots: 8
On target: 3
Possession: 40%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
There is no question that Madrid deserved to secure a comprehensive three points this evening. Malaga were in the match for the first 20 minutes, but they simply fell apart after being reduced to 10 men. The home side's defence certainly looked untidy when put under pressure, but their attacking play was in full flow. They have had their problems this season, but they remain a potent attacking force, especially at the Bernabeu.
Madrid's performance
The capital outfit's defence certainly looked wobbly in the early stages of the match, but they demonstrated their stunning attacking prowess this evening. In truth, there was not any point during the 90 minutes when they were not in complete control. The fact that six different scorers found the back of the net this evening is also a major plus for the club.
Malaga's performance
Malaga were extremely poor this evening. They responded well after falling behind in the opening three minutes, but they appeared to lose faith after Sanchez was sent from the field. From that moment it became more about containment than attempting to get back into the match, which allowed Madrid to utterly dominate proceedings. After spending much of the early season in the top four, they could find themselves out of the top six come the end of the season.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese may have missed a penalty this evening, but he scored his 200th goal for the club with a fine finish from inside the box. That is 200 goals in 197 games for arguably the biggest team in world football. The attacker also registered two assists in the 90 minutes.
Biggest gaffe
You would not have known that Jose Mourinho's side were leading 6-2 based on his expression throughout the 90 minutes this evening. It is almost certain that he will leave at the end of the season, but his behaviour in recent weeks will not have pleased those paying his wages.
Referee performance
Jesus Gil had a successful 90 minutes of action this evening. The Spaniard was called upon to make a number of decisions in the first period, where he rightly awarded Madrid a penalty and dismissed Sanchez for a foul on Ronaldo. He was largely a spectator in the second half, however, as he watched the home side stroll to three points.
What next?
Madrid: Madrid will attempt to continue their fine run of league form when they travel to Espanyol on Saturday.
Malaga: Malaga will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Sevilla on Sunday.
Matt Law
