Ronaldo seals nervy win for Real against Malaga

Goals from Karim Benzema, Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo were enough for Zinedine Zidane’s men to secure all three points, but efforts from Malaga’s Diego Rolan and Chory Castor made things surprisingly nervy for them.

‘Los Blancos’ side took the lead after just nine minutes when Benzema headed in from close range. Ronaldo did brilliantly to reach Marcelo's cross at the far post but his header rebounded off the bar, giving the French striker the simple task of nodding into an empty net.

A disastrous mishap at the back from the hosts allowed Malaga to draw level ten minutes later. Toni Kroos' backwards pass fell straight into the path of Keko and he crossed towards Rolan, who controlled on his chest before firing past Francisco Casilla.

However, they were level for only two minutes as Real powered forward and regained the lead. Kroos whipped in a corner from the right and Casemiro emphatically headed home at the far post.

Real should have extended their lead on the half-hour mark but Benzema got caught in two minds after being slipped in down the right by Isco. His eventual cross-shot was aimed at Ronaldo but flew wide of the post.

In a very controversial end to the opening period, Malaga thought they had equalised for the second time. They had the ball in the net as Paul Bayss looped a header up and over Casilla from Jose Recio’s free-kick. But, the referee had blown his whistle for a foul from Baysse on Dani Carvajal, which after replays, looked incredibly harsh on the Malaga man.

Despite that setback, the visitors did draw level again on the hour mark after some very questionable goalkeeping from Casilla. Keko poked the ball into Chory Castro's path 30-yards from goal and he took a touch before rocketing a strike towards goal. The effort looked to be too close to the Real stopper, but while he got a hand to it, he could only push into the side-netting.

Malaga continued to press for the winner but left themselves vulnerable at the back, which lead to them conceding a penalty with 15 minutes to play. Substitute Luka Modric drew a foul from Luis Hernandez in the area and Ronaldo stepped up to try and finish things off for Real. Having seen his initial effort saved by Roberto, he calmly slotted home from close range to send the Bernabeu into raptures.

After that, Malaga never really looked like equalising for the third time and Real closed out for all three points. The win brings them to within seven points of La Liga leader Barcelona, while Malaga remain in the relegation zone with seven points from their opening 13 games.