Real Madrid beat Malaga to keep the pressure on Barcelona

Real Madrid remain just two points adrift of Liga leaders Barcelona after securing a 3-1 win over Malaga, but were made to count the cost of injuries to Gareth Bale and Luka Modric.

The Welsh winger was withdrawn after just a few minutes, clutching his calf, before Modric was also taken off in the second half after suffering a knee injury. Both players - along with the already crocked Karim Benzema - now look to be doubts for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

The evening could have been even worse for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as Malaga put up a strong challenge at the Santiago Bernabeu. A first-half goal from Sergio Ramos put the home side ahead, before James Rodriguez found the top corner with a 20-yard strike - although not before Cristiano Ronaldo had missed a penalty.

However, Malaga responded immediately, with Juanmi heading home to half the deficit. Malaga continued to press for an equaliser, but succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in stoppage time, when Javier Hernandez squared across goal for Ronaldo to finish.

16’ MALAGA CHANCE: That was a decent strike from Amrabat! The Malaga forward smashes an effort towards goal from the edge of the box, but Casillas keeps his eye on it and pushes the ball over his own bar.

18’ GOALKEEPER SAVE: Great save from Kameni! Hernandez gets his head to a wicked free-kick delivery from Isco, forcing the Malaga goalkeeper into an excellent save with an outstretched right arm.

24’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1 Malaga 0: Real Madrid have made the breakthrough! Ronaldo fires in a free-kick from a tight angle and Ramos finishes from close range.

28’ KAMENI STOP: Great shot, great save! James fires off an effort at goal, but Kameni is equal to it and pulls off an incredible stop to prevent Real Madrid from doubling their advantage. Fantastic. Got down so quickly.

54’ ACROSS THE FACE: That wasn't too far away from the far corner of the Real Madrid net. Amrabat creates a yard of space for himself just inside the penalty area, but he drags his shot wide of the target.

66’ PENALTY!: Ronaldo beats Kameni with the shot from 12 yards, but it bounces off the inside of the goalframe and clears the Malaga penalty area. His first penalty miss of the Liga season.

69’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2 Malaga 0: Fantastic team goal after some great passing and movement, but the finish was astonishing too. Fired it into the top corner, with Kameni touching it into his net.

71’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2 Malaga 1: Terrible defending from the home side! Rosales finds the unmarked Juanmi 10 yards out, and the Malaga man heads home past Casillas.

91’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3 Malaga 1: The victory is finally secured! Hernandez does well to get in behind the Malaga defence and squares for Ronaldo to tap home.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the woodwork from a penalty kick for the first time in his Real Madrid career.

Ronaldo has now made 13 assists in La Liga this season, his best haul in a single league season.

Real Madrid were already counting the cost of an injury to striker Karim Benzema when this game kicked off, and just a few minutes later they were made to rue another injury - with Bale crumpling to the turf holding his calf. Modric was also taken off with an injury in the second half, so how big an impact with these injuries have on Real Madrid’s gameplay for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday? Ancelotti might have to come up with a new team selection, as well as a new formation.

The Cameroonian goalkeeper could have done better with James Rodriguez’s 20-yard strike, allowing the shot to slip through his fingers, but Kameni had already proved his worth well before then. He pulled off a number of astonishing stops to keep his Malaga team in the contest for as long as possible. One save in particular - from James - defied expectation, getting down to his right to make a low, diving save from a powerful drive. He didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

Real Madrid - Casillas 6, Marcelo 6, Ramos 7, Pepe 6, Arbeloa 6, James 7, Kroos 6, Modric 6, Isco 5, Ronaldo 6, Bale 1. Subs - Hernandez 7, Illarramendi 6, Carvajal.

Malaga - Kameni 8, Boka 6, Angeleri 5, Sanchez 6, Rosales 6, Darder 5, Recio 5, Samu 6, Amrabat 7, Samuel 6, Juanmi 7. Subs - Tissone 5, Horta, Duda.