Real Madrid 3-1 Malaga: Ronaldo and James lift Madrid without Modric and Bale

Injuries plague Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti's men face daunting task in remaining games.

Modric and Bale out, Ronaldo missed penalty and James scored a stunner.

Real Madrid played a game that ended with no benefits for the Blancos' after Luka Modric and Gareth Bale was forced to substitution. 

Victory meant that the tables remained constant after Barcelona overcame Valencia 2-0.

Real Madrid couldn't make a bright start into the game with Gareth Bale injured in the second minute. Substitute Chicharito added something to the game with a teriffic header that tested Kameni's athletic feat.

However, the deadlock was broken when Ramos nodded into the net from a Ronaldo free-kick. The Portugese assisted Ramos in a wonderful freekick, only for the free standing Spaniard to tap home.

Kameni was called into action for the second time. James scored a half volley 22 yards away, only for the Malaga shot-stopper to make a tremendous save.

But the highlight in the first half was when Cristiano Ronaldo nutmegged Sergio Sanchez with a spectacular chop.

Real Madrid missed Luka Modric in the second half and Illara was introduced.

Madrid made a spectacular move then. Ronaldo produced a wonderful backheel pass to Chicharito who returned the ball back to Portugese. Cristiano dribbled down two before passing to James who was fouled inside the penalty area.

However, to add more agony, Ronaldo hit the resulting penalty into the bar. 

The second goal was a genius move from James, Ronaldo and Isco. James played a one-two with Isco and then another with Ronaldo who slid a pass for the Colombian to score a stunning curl shot.

Just minutes later, Pepe watched in agony how Juanmi scored a free header to bring Malaga back into the game.

Ronaldo eagerly waited for his chance and it came in the 92nd minute. Pepe cleared a ball which Chicharito controlled excellently to assist Ronaldo who scored his 50th goal this season with a tap-in.

The last kick of the game produced another clear-cut chance. Isco delivered a ball for Chicharito who passed to James. The Colombian returned the ball for Portugese who failed to score into the free net.

Match Report: Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad: Benzema the star as Real triumph over the Anoetian side.

 

Bale fails to shine on Ronaldo's absence but Benzema was excellent.

Real Madrid came back from behind to score four.

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid was up against David Moyes's Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu last night. 

The duel was said to be for the home side, though they missed their star player Cristiano Ronaldo who is suspended for two games against Cordoba. Real Sociedad was on the top when the last the two met, back at late August, where they came from two early goals behind to win 4-2.

However, Real Sociedad enjoyed good start with Elustondo scoring after just 39 seconds into the game with a header from a corner.

Real Madrid reacted quickly, with James Rodriguez opening the account Real with a good header off Marcelo's cross in 3rd minute.

Madrid then had lot of control in the game. With a lot of long passes and good dribbles from Isco and Kroos. The midfield turned stable and the game was steady. It was then that Bale missed a free post. Real Madrid played a good counter attack with Isco passing the ball to Benzema. The Frenchman dribbled down to the box and passed to James who could have tapped in to the goal. But the Gareth Bale interfered in between and shot off target.

However, Ramos tapped a rebound from Benzema's shot to give Los Blancos' the lead.

The second half was also bright. The first attack of Real Madrid resulted in Benzema's goal. Bale played a one-two with Benzema and then returned the ball back to the Frenchman who scored his first of the night.

The last goal was off from the boots of Benzema. A stunning strike from a well-played attack. Karim passed the ball to James who returned it to Benzema and finished the return with a wonderful curved shot.