Great save by Kameni! A curling cross from Marcelo finds Rodriguez on the edge of the Malaga penalty area, but the Colombian's first-time, thumping half-volley is well saved by the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who gets down well to deny the substitute the opportunity to fire Real Madrid into the lead with one of the last kicks of the game.
90' +2
A clumsy challenge from Marcelo results in a free-kick for Malaga in a very dangerous position deep down the right flank. Duda steps up and curls a well-placed cross right onto the head of Camacho, but the midfielder is unable to direct it towards goal and, eventually, Navas is able to cut out the danger near to the byline.
90' +1
Cross after cross is being flung into the Malaga penalty area, but each one is being comfortably dealt with by Kameni, who has been excellent today and has been unlucky not to pick up a clean sheet.
90'
C. Kameni gets yellow.
Kameni takes his time with a goal-kick and is shown a yellow card for time-wasting.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
Duda enters the game and replaces J. Añor.
Juanpi, who has been excellent this afternoon, makes way for Duda for the final few minutes of the game.
88'
Play resumes once again and Real Madrid keep pushing into Malaga's half of the pitch, but no matter what they try to do they just can't seem to find a way past the hosts' resolute back four. First, a curling cross from Carvajal is cut out by Albentosa in the heart of the penalty area, before Kovacic breaks into the left-hand side of the box only to be flagged offside just as he's about to tee up Vazquez.
86'
There's a slight break in play at the moment after a high boot from Albentosa accidentally catches Weligton in the face, leaving the Brazilian in a heap on the floor and in serious discomfort. However, it looks as if he's going to be able to continue after receiving medical attention for a few moments.
85'
Malaga are presented with a great opportunity to hit Real Madrid on a counter-attack after the visitors lose the ball in the middle of the pitch, but Santa Cruz, who initially does well to get forward down the right wing, ends up completely mishitting his cross-field pass and sends it over the head of Fornals and out for a throw-in.
83'
Carvajal swings a curling cross into the heart of the Malaga penalty area, where it finds Modric. The Croatian brings the ball down well and tries to get a shot away before going down under a challenge from Recio, but the referee ignores his pleas for a penalty and allows play to go on.
81'
R. Santa Cruz enters the game and replaces D. Čop.
Malaga have made a late alteration, with Santa Cruz coming on to take the place of Cop.
Minute
Description
80'
It's all Real Madrid at the moment as they continue swarming deep into the Malaga half of the pitch, but the hosts are doing really well to sit deep and defend resolutely as they look to hold on to wait would be an excellent, and well-deserved, point.
78'
Chance for Ronaldo! Modric breaks forward quickly before sending a lovely through-ball into the path of Ronaldo. The Portuguese meets it well and penetrates the penalty area before unleashing a thumping strike, but at the last moment he's put off by Weligton and ends up sending his shot well wide of the near post, much to the delight of the Malaga fans.
76'
What an opportunity for Charles to put Malaga in front! Rosales flies down the right wing before curling an absolutely wonderful cross into the Real Madrid penalty area. It finds the Brazilian, who rises high before sending a looping header towards the roof of the goal, but Navas pulls off an acrobatic diving save to push it over the top of the crossbar and out for a corner. The hosts are getting closer to scoring a second...
75'
J. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces Isco.
74'
Isco receives a loud round of applause from the Malaga fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Rodriguez for the final quarter of an hour.
72'
Chance for Marcelo! The left-back picks up the ball in space just outside of the Malaga penalty area and penetrates the box before unleashing a curling cross-cum-shot, but it flies wide of the far post by a few feet before missing the outstretched foot of Isco near the byline.
71'
L. Modrić gets yellow.
70'
Modric charges into Camacho and catches the Malaga midfielder with a high boot, resulting in the Croatian being shown a yellow card.
68'
Isco scores, but it's offside! The Spaniard breaks through the middle of the Malaga back line and meets a well-weighted pass from Vazquez before beating Kameni with a lovely low shot, but just as the ball rolls over the line the linesman's flag is raised for offside, and it's the correct decision.
66'
Raúl Albentosa has scored a goal for Malaga! Assist by Weligton.
That was a lovely low cross from Weligton, who did wonderfully well to pick out Albentosa, but Real Madrid have to be criticised for failing to clear the danger and not closing down the Malaga left-back quickly enough.
GOAL! Malaga have finally found an equaliser! Recio picks up the ball in acres of space on the left wing and quickly cuts inside before teeing up Weligton. The Brazilian then cuts into the left-hand side of the Real Madrid penalty area before cutting a great cross over to the far post, where Albentosa, who is completely unmarked, is able to beat Navas with a beautifully struck side-footed shot. From the most unlikely of sources, the hosts have punished the visitors for their poor defending!
65'
Lovely footwork from Fornals! The substitute skips past both Modric and Carvajal before firing a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Ramos is just about able to stick a foot out to send it looping over the crossbar and out for a corner.
63'
Pablo Fornals enters the game and replaces Ricardo Horta.
Carvajal charges down the right flank and cuts inside before swinging a lovely cross over to the far post. It meets Isco, who does well to beat his marker in the air, but he ends up sending his headed effort looping well wide of the Malaga goal.
Malaga have made their first alteration of the afternoon, with Fornals coming on to replace Horta.
62'
Juanpi looks dangerous every time he's able to get on the ball, and once again he flies into the Real Madrid penalty area after embarking on a great run forward. He then spins past two defenders before trying to beat Navas with a chipped shot, but the Costa Rican goalkeeper is comfortably able to deny the Venezuelan with an easy save.
61'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces Jesé.
Real Madrid have decided to make their first substitution of the game, with Jese making way for Vazquez.
60'
Another chance for Cop! Juanpi beats Ramos with ease before unleashing a low strike that bounces off the feet of Nacho and into the feet of the aforementioned Croatian striker. He immediately sends a follow-up effort towards the top right-hand corner of the net, but once again it's overhit and sails a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
58'
Jese breaks into the right-hand side of the Malaga penalty area and immediately tries to pick out Ronaldo, but his low cross is deflected out of play for a corner. Kroos swings a cross into the middle of the box, where it finds Jese once again, but he's unable to control the ball well enough and, as a result, is unable to get a shot away.
56'
Wonderful save by Kameni! Ronaldo picks up the ball just outside of the Malaga penalty area and quickly skips past Weligton before unleashing a curling strike, but, despite seeing it late, the Cameroonian goalkeeper is able to deny the Portuguese forward with a great diving stop.
55'
Ignacio Camacho gets yellow.
Camacho becomes the latest player to enter the referee's book for a clip on the heel of Marcelo, meaning that he will miss Malaga's game against Real Sociedad next weekend.
54'
Juanpi, who has easily been Malaga's most impressive player thus far, sprints down the right flank on a great run before being bundled over by Kovacic, resulting in a free-kick for the hosts. The Venezuelan fires a low cross into the heart of the Real Madrid penalty area, but there's nobody there to meet it and, as a result, Kroos can comfortably deal with the danger.
52'
Malaga have forced Real Madrid into sitting deep inside their own half of the pitch, but they're finding it difficult to fully punish the hosts, who are looking far more defensively resolute than they were during the course of the first half.
50'
What a save by Navas! Horta flies down the left wing and cuts inside before unleashing a thumping strike towards the top right-hand corner of the net. It takes a deflection off the knee of Nacho, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper does brilliantly to stick out a hand to tip the shot over the top of the crossbar.
49'
Once again, Real Madrid work the ball around well, with Isco and Jese linking up nicely just outside of the Malaga penalty area. The latter then tries to muscle his way past Torres, but the left-back stands firm and dispossesses the striker before being fouled.
47'
Real Madrid immediately win the ball in the middle of the pitch before breaking away on a quick attack. Jese breaks into the right-hand side of the hosts' penalty area before trying to cut a low pass back to Isco, but Rosales is there to cut out the danger at the vital moment with a great interception.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45'
A chipped pass from Carvajal flies over the top of the Malaga defence and finds Ronaldo completely unmarked inside the Malaga penalty area, but just as he makes contact with the ball the linesman's flag is raised once again, much to the delight of the Malaga fans, who are still feeling bitter about the Portuguese's earlier goal.
44'
Malaga work the ball around quickly deep inside the Real Madrid half of the pitch before Juanpi breaks into the left-hand side of the box. He then chips a lovely cross over to the far post, but just as it's about to meet Cop the linesman raises his flag for offside, even though the replays show that the Venezuelan was at least a yard onside.
42'
Real Madrid methodically make their way down the right flank before Carvajal, who has arguably been one of Real Madrid's best players thus far, wins them a corner. It's curled into the heart of the penalty area, where Ramos is waiting to meet it, but he's beaten to the ball by Charles and the Brazilian does well to head it away from danger.
40'
J. Añor gets yellow.
Jese breaks down the left flank before being bundled over by Charles, resulting in a free-kick for Real Madrid and a yellow card for the striker. The visitors take it short and work the ball around quickly as they try to find a way into the Malaga penalty area, but they're swiftly put under pressure by the hosts and are unable to do so.
38'
What a save by Navas! Cop flies through the Real Madrid defence and meets a lovely through-ball from Juanpi before trying to fire a low strike into the back of the net, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper sticks out a foot and sends the strike looping up into the air before Ramos tips it over the top of the crossbar with his head.
36'
Penalty saved by C. Kameni!
SAVE! Ronaldo steps up and tries to bury the ball in the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but Kameni does wonderfully well to get down quickly before parrying the shot away with a strong, diving stop.
Kameni did wonderfully well to tip Ronaldo's strike away from goal, but the Portuguese really should have done better with that chance, as he didn't hit it with enough conviction and, as a result, the Malaga goalkeeper was easily able to read the shot.
35'
Weligton gets yellow.
PENALTY! Things have gone from bad to worse for Malaga! Ronaldo twists and turns on the left-hand side of the the hosts' penalty area before being clumsily tripped over by Weligton, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot and show the Brazilian centre-back a yellow card.
33'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by T. Kroos.
That was a wonderful cross from Kroos, who perfectly picked out Ronaldo, but the replays indicate that the Portuguese forward was at least a yard offside. The Malaga players aren't happy at all and are arguing vociferously with the referee.
GOAL! Real Madrid have taken the lead! Carvajal tries to skip past Horta on the right flank but is clumsily fouled by the Portuguese winger, resulting in a free-kick for the visitors in a dangerous position. It's curled into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds Ronaldo completely unmarked, and the forward is able to direct a wonderful header past Kameni and into the top left-hand corner of the net.
32'
Real Madrid are starting to look slightly more dangerous when pushing forward now that Malaga have decided to sit slightly deeper. The visitors are seeing far more of the ball and, as a result, they look to be on the front foot.
30'
After a nervy few moments, Real Madrid are finally able to push forward on one of their first attacking moves in almost 10 minutes. They move the ball around well before Marcelo decides to shoot from 25 yards out, but his audacious curling effort is overhit and sails comfortably out of play for a goal-kick.
28'
Poor, nervous play from Real Madrid inside their own half of the pitch allows Juanpi to pick up the ball in a pocket of space in between the visitors' midfield and defence. He takes a quick touch before trying to tee up Charles, who makes a good run forward to try and meet it, but the Venezuelan's pass is poor and misses the striker before finding the hands of Navas.
26'
Once again, poor defending from Real Madrid almost gifts Malaga with a great opportunity to score. The ball bounces around the visitors' penalty area before Nacho eventually tries to clear the danger, but his attempted clearance bounces off Camacho and into the hands of Navas before it can roll into the back of the net.
24'
Marcelo gets yellow.
Kameni's save results in a free-kick for Real Madrid, but it's easily dealt with by Malaga. They then try to break away on a quick counter-attack through Rosales, but the right-back is cynically fouled by Marcelo, who receives a yellow card as a result.
23'
Fantastic goalkeeping by Kameni! A beautiful low pass from Marcelo rolls through the Malaga back four before finding the Real Madrid striker, who is completely unmarked inside the box. He takes a quick touch and then tries to beat the Cameroonian goalkeeper, but the shot-stopper comes out on top thanks to a great diving save.
22'
And now Horta misses a great opportunity to put Malaga in front! Juanpi, who has been darting all over the place in the opening 22 minutes of the game, cuts inside from the right wing and picks out the aforementioned Portuguese on the left-hand side of the Real Madrid box. He's completely unmarked and only has Navas to beat, but he ends up sending his shot well wide of the goal. The hosts are all over their opponents, but they really need to start doing better in front of goal!
20'
What a mistake by Kroos! The German midfielder completely fall asleeps and pokes the ball straight past Ramos and into the path of Juanpi. The midfielder flies into the Real Madrid penalty area and is presented with the perfect opportunity to put his side 1-0 up, but he completely scuffs his close-range shot and sends it straight into the hands of Navas. He really should have done better!
18'
Isco goes close! Once again, Carvajal shows great vision with his passing, and this time it's the former Malaga midfielder that he picks out with a lovely cross-field ball. It's brought down well before he unleashes a thumping shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area, but it ends up flying just a yard or so over the top of the crossbar.
16'
Great play by Real Madrid! Carvajal darts down the right flank before sending a beatiful through-ball into the right-hand side of the Malaga penalty area. Jese flies through the disjointed back line and meets the ball well before firing a first-time shot, but Kameni is there to smother the danger with a brilliant save at the near post.
14'
Almost a costly mistake by Navas! The Real Madrid goalkeeper sends an absolutely awful goal-kick straight into the feet of Cop, who then immediately tees up Charles with a deft through-ball. The striker flies into the penalty area and goes one-on-one with the Costa Rican shot-stopper, who does wonderfully well to atone for his error with a well-timed diving save before the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
13'
A lofted pass forward finds Ramos on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area, but the centre-back's attempted clearance is poor and can only find Cop. The Croatian then plays a quick one-two with Charles before unleashing a first-time, curling shot from 20 yards out, but it's completely overhit and sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
11'
A slightly tentative start from Real Madrid has resulted in them looking somewhat frustrated, and a late challenge from Recio results in an angry response from Marcelo. The two clash momentarily, but the referee is quickly there to calm the situation.
9'
Vital interception by Albentosa! Straight from the restart, Real Madrid break away on a blisteringly quick attacking move, with Isco flying down the right wing before curling a cross towards Ronaldo that is headed out of play by the aforementioned defender. The resulting corner is flung into the heart of the box, where it finds Ramos, but the centre-back is unable to beat Kameni with his tame effort.
7'
The resulting set-piece is sent deep towards the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area, but Jese reads the flight of the ball well and is there to cut out the danger with a strong header. Malaga win a throw-in on the right flank, which they take quickly before Juanpi tries to penetrate the right-hand side of the box, but he ends up fouling Kroos in the process, resulting in a free-kick for the visitors deep inside their own half of the pitch.
6'
Good play by Malaga! Charles breaks down the left wing on a great run before cutting inside and teeing up Cop. The Croatian out-muscles his marker with ease before spinning and sending the ball back to his strike partner, but he is quickly closed down before he can shoot and, as a result, he has to settle with a corner.
4'
Isco breaks into the left-hand side of the Malaga penalty area and showcases his wonderful skill as he weaves his way past two defenders. He then heads across the byline before cutting inside and firing a low shot from close range, but Rosales is just about able to get a foot in the way to stop it from testing Kameni.
2'
Miguel Torres gets yellow.
After dealing with a good start by Malaga, Real Madrid try to break away on a quick counter-attack through Jese. The strikes flies through the middle of the pitch and heads towards the halfway line, but before he's able to meet it he's cynically dragged to the ground by Torres, who receives an early yellow card as a result.
1'
And we're off! Real Madrid get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Early pressure from Malaga results in Ramos sending a very risky backpass towards Navas, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper is just about able to dart out and clear the danger before Charles can make contact with the ball inside the penalty area.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s La Liga game between Malaga and Real Madrid at the Estadio La Rosaleda.
A hard-fought but vitally important 2-1 win away to Las Palmas yesterday keeps Barcelona in the driving seat at the top of La Liga, meaning that, once again, Real Madrid head into a league clash knowing that only a win will do if they are to keep up with the in-form reigning champions. After suffering a disappointing month in the run-up to the annual winter break, Los Blancos have been in impressive form since the 10-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano in their final game before Christmas. Since then they are unbeaten in all of their nine domestic games, with seven of those ending in victories, including high-scoring affairs against Deportivo La Coruna, Sporting Gijon and Espanyol. Last Wednesday also saw Zinedine Zidane’s men beat Roma 2-0 to give them a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and that well-worked victory will no doubt have filled them with confidence ahead of this afternoon’s must-win encounter.
As for Malaga, they head into today’s game in a respectable 11th place, equal on points with 10th-place Real Sociedad and with the opportunity to move within five points of a Europa League qualifying spot if they are able to pull off what would be a shock win. Los Boquerones suffered a frustrating and narrow 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal last weekend, but they have lost just once in their previous five home games in the top flight, with that defeat coming against Barcelona almost a month ago. When required they have be known to be a compact and well-organised side, one that defend resolutely before picking apart opponents on the counter. As a result, this afternoon’s clash could prove to be a tricky one for Real Madrid.
Malaga substitutes: Ochoa, Filipenko, Boka, Duda, Fornals, Uche, Santa Cruz.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up afternoon…
Real Madrid substitutes: Casilla, Arbeloa, Danilo, Casemiro, Rodriguez, Mayoral, Vazquez.
Real Madrid XI (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Kovacic; Isco, Jese, Ronaldo.
Javi Gracia has decided to make two changes to the Malaga side that lost 1-0 against Villarreal last Saturday, with Recio and Ricardo Horta coming into the starting line-up to replace Fernando Tissone and Pablo Fornals, respectively.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made three alterations to the side that featured in the aforementioned win away to Roma during the week, with the main talking point being the inclusion of Jese, who takes the place of the injured Karim Benzema. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane, who is suspended, makes way for Nacho, whilst James Rodriguez is replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
What an excellent opening 45 minutes that was, and it was largely down to Real Madrid's poor play inside their own half of the pitch. The visitors haven't looked at all comfortable so far, with the back four being particularly guilty of sloppy passing and strange decision making. As a result, Malaga have been presented with the most clear-cut chances to score but their own struggles have seen them fail to beat Navas with each one. At the other end, Ronaldo has been incredibly quiet but popped up when required to head his side into the lead, even if there was more than a hint of offside about the goal.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: MALAGA 1-1 REAL MADRID
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and brings to an end a thoroughly disappointing game for Real Madrid, who were consistently poor throughout and, in the end, were lucky to leave with a point. They never looked entirely confident at the back and were too often sloppy with their passing, which time and time again presented Malaga with opportunities to score. The hosts really should have found the back of the net more than once, but they will nonetheless be happy that they were able to hold Los Blancos to an impressive 1-1 draw.
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