Real Madrid have defeated Malaga 2-1 at La Rosaleda this evening to stretch their winning run in all competitions to a club-record 16 games.
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Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be a threat right from the off, although he blew a big opportunity to open the scoring when failing to get the better of Carlos Kameni after being picked out inside the box.
Moments later, Iker Casillas had to be alert to deny Roque Santa Cruz from scoring his fifth career goal against Los Blancos by pushing away his headed effort.
It proved to be a big moment in the half as, with a little under 20 minutes played, Karim Benzema neatly flicked the ball home from close range to put the visitors ahead.
However, the striker appeared to have tugged down an opposition player in the build-up to the goal.
Madrid were unable to add to their lead before the interval, and in fact it was Malaga who came closest to adding the game's second goal when Duda struck the crossbar with his free kick.
Shortly after the restart, Gareth Bale had a decent opportunity to extend his side's lead, but he headed over the bar after connecting with a set-piece delivery into the box.
Another chance came and went for the league leaders when former Malaga man Isco's shot was kept out by Kameni, and it almost cost Madrid dearly when Santa Cruz missed the target by a few inches up the other end 20 minutes from time.
Ronaldo became the next player to be denied by Kameni as the lead remained at just the one goal heading into the final 10 minutes, and proof of how fragile that scoreline was came when Casillas was forced into making a reflex save to thwart Santa Cruz's effort.
But, moments later, Bale was not to be denied when played through on goal, precisely placing the ball beyond Kameni with a cool right-footed finish into the back of the net to seal the three points.
There was still time for Isco to receive his marching orders having been issued a second yellow card, and Santa Cruz did grab a goal back with a close-range header to leave things tight with a minute of added time to go, but Carlo Ancelotti's side held on to continue their impressive winning streak.
It means that Los Blancos are now five points clear at the top of La Liga having played a game more than the chasing pack, while Malaga's losing run against Madrid leaves them in sixth place.
Daniel Lewis
