HOW HAVE MADRID NOT SCORED! An incredible four-on-two break sees James lose out in a challenge with the keeper, but the ball breaks kindly to Ronaldo, who fires it into the side netting from an angle!
90' +2
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by J. Hernández.
RONALDO WRAPS IT UP! Malaga finally run out of gas, as Chicharito pounces on a turnover to strorm past his man down the right and tee up the Portuguese for the simplest of tap-ins.
90' +1
NERVY MOMENTS IN MADRID! Amrabat can't get on the end of a cutback inside the six-yard area, but he has another chance as Madrid fail to clear. However, his acrobatic overhead cross back into the mixer is met by a white shirt first.
90'
On the cusp of stoppage time now and it's still the narrowest of leads for Madrid. To be fair, Malaga look shot of ideas. Los Blancos have also done well to get back around their area when the ball has been in the visitors' hands.
88'
Tissone is the latest player to get carded for a challenge on Isco. The little midfielder has certainly been in the wars against his former club, as he's suffered a number of tough challenges.
87'
Duda enters the game and replaces Darder.
F. Tissone gets yellow.
Malaga are a little to ponderous in the brief moments when they've gotten on the ball. At this point in the game, they need to be as direct as possible. It certainly served them well for their goal.
85'
Madrid continue to hold possession and do their best to close out this game professionally. However, one lapse at the back like the one that occurred for Malaga's goal and it could all be undone.
83'
It's as tense as anything inside the Bernabeu, with so much on the line in terms of their hopes for the Liga title. Anywhere will do for the Madrid defence whenever the ball enters their zone.
81'
Ricardo Horta enters the game and replaces Samu Castillejo.
T. Kroos gets yellow.
Less than 10 minutes to go now, and Madrid look far more likely to grab a third than Malaga do to draw level. The ball has barely left the visitors' half since Juanmi struck a few minutes back.
79'
After some delay by the official to make sure that the wall was the right distance, Ronaldo whips the ball into the area, which Chicharito attacks, only to divert the ball wide. The flag then goes up late.
Minute
Description
77'
Sergio Sánchez gets yellow.
Sanchez tries, and fails to tug back Isco on the left-hand side. To add insult to injury, the Malaga man was carded when the referee stopped play, and now Madrid have a promising free-kick...
76'
Dani Carvajal enters the game and replaces Arbeloa.
75'
F. Tissone enters the game and replaces Recio.
Kameni is called into action again to punch away an ambitious effort from Ronaldo. No one's leaving early here, this game got very captivating all of a sudden! Fifteen minutes to go.
73'
Pepe didn't move when Rosales' cross came in, and that left Juanmi with all the time he needed to strike. Goals against Real and Barcelona now in the bag for the 21-year-old striker.
71'
Juanmi has scored a goal for Malaga! Assist by R. Rosales.
HOW ABOUT THAT! Malaga are right back in it, as Rosales' cross is headed in with too much ease by Juanmi. Game back on almost as quickly as it was off!
70'
Will that just about do it for Real Madrid? Malaga have created precious little, but los Blancos' one-goal lead never looked like the most secure thing in the world. They'll need to hit back fast.
69'
J. Rodríguez has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
MADRID HAVE THEIR TWO-GOAL LEAD! The frustration of Ronaldo's miss is quickly forgotten as the hosts carve Malaga apart, before James rifles it into the top shelf from the edge of the area! Well done!
68'
That stands as Ronaldo's first miss from the penalty spot this season. He scored all nine of his previous attempts from the spot. What's more, he'll still be chasing a 50th goal of the season.
67'
HE'S HIT THE POST! The Portuguese international cracks the spot-kick off the upright, and Malaga are still alive in this one!
66'
A few chances for Malaga here as Pepe hacks away a dangerous ball from the feet of Juanmi, before Boka sees an effort thwarted at the edge of the area. Much better from the visitors.
MADRID HAVE A PENALTY! James is upended by Samu Castillejo inside the area, and Ronaldo steps up to the spot to put his side into a two-goal lead...
64'
It looks like the derby against Atletico Madrid has taken a lot out of Real, as they seem to be labouring in the same manner as they did during spells of that game. The scoreboard is what matters though.
62'
It's taken over an hour for the first card of the game to be shown, but it's flashed in Arbeloa's direction after he took a chunk out of Boka. Despite long periods of tenacity in midfield, it's been a relatively clean game.
61'
Arbeloa gets yellow.
60'
Illarramendi enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
That will have to be that for Modric, who can't continue, and is replaced by Illarramendi. First substitution of the game from either coach, and we're getting to that period in the match where more can quickly follow.
58'
There's some trouble here for Modric, who is smarting in pain after a challenge with Recio. Ancelotti could do without another injury headache, and at the moment, it's up in the air whether he'll be able to proceed.
56'
There was an interesting sequence earlier when Isco erred on a pass, but was met with supportive applause from the crowd. The Bernabeu faithful have come under fire for their treatment of Bale, but they were very generous there.
54'
INCHES WIDE! Amrabat is once again the danger man for the Andalusian side, taking his marker out of the equation before firing an effort that flashes the wrong side of the post!
52'
OVER THE BAR! Kroos' free kick is in a good position for Ronaldo to attack, but the Portugal captain can't keep his header down. Will another breakthrough come via a set-piece here?
50'
Another save made from Kameni, who pushes away an effort from James. The Cameroonian goalkeeper hasn't done a lot wrong in this game. Madrid will want to get more shooting looks like that.
48'
No changes coming out of the break from either manager, and looking at Madrid's bench, there's not a lot of attacking options should Malaga get back in this game. The one man who could have made the difference off the bench has already been drafted into the game early thanks to Bale's injury.
46'
Here we go again!
45' +1
Malaga have protested a few decisions here, and Gracia joins in their complaints for the first time after another perceived injustice. He'll have more time to make his case with the half-time whistle set to sound.
44'
Arbeloa's back-header to Casillas is a little short, and that has Juanmi's tail up. He tries to latch onto the ball first, but the Madrid captain is off his line in a flash to gobble up the danger.
42'
Recio sends a long-range tester flying into orbit, and that's about as good as it has gotten for Malaga in a long while. Gracia has a lot to ponder at the break - but his side aren't out of this by a long shot.
40'
Little more than five minutes left in this half and the home side are still holding a slender 1-0 advantage. It's been the furthest thing from a classic, but taking home that W is what matters, especially with Barca winning earlier in the day.
38'
As expected, James and Isco are drifting centrally from their wide midfield positions, linking play with Ronaldo and Chicharito making diagonal runs. Still some kinks to work out though, especially if Madrid are stuck with this formation due to an extended spell on the sidelines for Benzema.
36'
Madrid score again but the flag is up quickly again. James is offside this time, and it's interesting that Malaga are continuing to risk the trap, even though the officials probably missed the Ramos opener.
34'
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net again, with Ramos briefly on the scoreboard once more after converting a Kroos free-kick. However, this time he was clearly offside, and the officials duly flag it.
32'
Madrid's centre-back pairing of Pepe and Ramos have both been excellent so far. They've put pressure on Juanmi and Co. whenever they've gotten in range of Casillas' penalty area.
30'
KAMENI AGAIN! The Cameroonian keeper is at his athletic best once more, this time to beat away an effort from James. Los Blancos are starting to turn the screw here.
28'
I've just seen another replay of that Ramos goal, and it did appear that the defender was a hair in front of the last man when the ball was played. The visitors didn't get the luck of the whistle on that occasion.
26'
Hopefully that goal will open this game up more. It's hardly a deserved lead for Madrid, but you know what they say about champions. What will the response from Gracia's team be though?
24'
Sergio Ramos has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
MADRID HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD! After Rosales coughed up a free-kick for a handball (for which he was also booked), Ramos is in the right place to divert Ronaldo's set-piece into the back of the net. Malaga appeal for an offside, but the flag stays down.
23'
This Malaga side did stun Barcelona in February, just as the Catalans were looking at their most dominant. Juanmi was the hero on that occasion with an early and special winner, and the visitors have been looking for him with the out-ball.
21'
Madrid also have to keep one eye on third-placed Atletico, who navigated a tough game against Deportivo la Coruna earlier, coming away with a 2-1 win. That leaves them four points behind their City rivals.
19'
The match taking a turn for the better in terms of expansiveness. A good goalscoring chance will always do that for you. Madrid are still missing that hold-up play that Benzema provides so artfully.
17'
SO CLOSE TO AN OPENER! Kameni is the hero for the visiting side as he springs to thwart Chicharito, who had attacked a cross! Much better from Madrid, who need that kind of directness regularly.
15'
Hardly a vintage outing here from Madrid, but even the notoriously fickle Bernabeu faithful will recognize that three points is the most important thing at this stage of the season.
13'
Amrabat has generally been the most involved player for the visitors in the opening exchanges. He fires an effort at the Madrid goal from long range, but he's denied by a solid save from Casillas.
11'
Amrabat tries to create something out of nothing, but the Madrid defence deal with the threat. The home side are struggling to transition the ball from defence to attack in their usual manner.
9'
Not the greatest spectacle, this game. Malaga and Madrid have been scrapping for the ball a lot, and space in crucial attacking areas has proven to be a tough thing to come by.
7'
With Benzema already nursing an injury, you get the feeling that Ancelotti will not want to take risks with his remaining attacking players. How will that affect the Madrid lineup? Chicharito is nowhere near the threat down the wing that Bale is.
5'
J. Hernández enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
Bale has pulled up here and I'm not sure that he'll be able to continue. He's pointing to his calf, and Ancelotti has quickly readied Hernandez to take his place. Big blow for the home side.
3'
Solid start from the home side, who are looking comfortable on the ball. This 4-4-2 lineup will be very interesting to watch unfold. You would expect James and Isco to provide a lot of support centrally as they cut in from the flanks.
1'
Off we go then!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Liga clash between Real Madrid and Malaga. Los Blancos were handed a massive boost by Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Sevilla last week, but the Blaugrana defeated Valencia 2-0 earlier in the day to move into a provisional five-point lead. Like every other game at this stage of the season, it's a must-win for Carlo Ancelotti's men, and they face a side with outsider's hopes of qualifying for Europe next season. I'm Keeghann Sinanan, your guide for all the action.
Real Madrid come into this one a little war weary after their bruiser of a quarter final against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Los Blancos have won three straight in the league since that Clasico defeat in March, including the incredible 9-1 demolition of Granada. Will there be a European hangover here at the Bernabeu for Ancelotti's men?
Malaga have not won in four matches, which has seen their very real hopes for a Europa League berth next season slip. They currently sit five points outside the final qualifying spot, and face a monumental task against the side with the best home record in the top flight.
Malaga have managed neither a win nor a clean sheet in their 13 previous visits to the Bernabeu. They also suffered their largest-ever defeat in la Liga against tonight's opponents - a 7-0 drubbing in March 2011. Madrid are unbeaten in 12 at home and have scored in their last 30 games at this ground - both bests for Carlo Ancelotti at the capital club.
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Isco, Modric, Kroos, Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo.
With Karim Benzema missing after an injury in the Atletico game, Ancelotti has opted for a 4-4-2 lineup, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale leading the line. Isco comes into the side, while Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe are also summoned for Daniel Carvajal and Raphael Varane.
Marcos Angeleri is the only new face in the Malaga XI, replacing Weligton Oliveira in the lineup. It's a 4-2-3-1 from Javi Gracia with Juanmi, the man who scored the winner against Barcelona earlier in the season, up front on his own.
And that will do it for the first half from the Bernabeu. Madrid are in front thanks to a Ramos opener that had a whiff of an offside about it. Chances have come at an absolute premium, but Kameni has had to be on his game twice to deny the home side. The game has been bogged down in midfield for long spells, but with only one goal separating the side, it's still up for grabs. Join me for the second half in just a bit.
Full time here at the Bernabeu, and Madrid got there in the end. There were some tense moments towards the end of this one, but Ronaldo's 50th goal of the season settled those frayed nerves, and gives them the win that they needed to move back to within two points of leaders Barcelona. Malaga can have no complaints - they simply did not offer enough.
That's all from me, I've been Keeghann Sinanan and it's been fun!
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