Ronaldo scores the decisive goal, Real shortens the gap with Barca

Goals: Benzema 9', Casemiro 21', Ronaldo 76' - Rolan 18', Castro 58'

Taking on the team ranked third from bottom, Real started with a familiar advantage. Thanks to the recent 6-0 victory in the Champions League at Apoel, the defending champions also had more comfort when playing.

Real's attacks soon brought results. In the ninth minute, Benzema scored the opening goal when he headed in after Ronaldo's header bounced off the crossbar.

Benzema had an easy goal early in the match.

If goalkeeper Roberto had not been excellent in the next phase, Real could have increased the score to 2-0. Dani Carvajal's shot was blocked right on the goal line, while no home player rushed to kick the rebound.

Real quenched their thirst in attack, but still played without balance. Malaga unexpectedly took advantage of a mistake by the home team's defense to equalize the score in the 18th minute.

Striker Diego Roland was the one who converted the opportunity into a goal when he received a cross from the right wing and fired a low shot. From Roland's feet, the ball went between the legs of center-back Jesus Vallejo, who was playing in place of Sergio Ramos, leaving goalkeeper Kiko Casilla no time to react.

Vallejo (white shirt) shows lack of experience in La Liga.

With the spirit of the defending champion, Real only gave Malaga three minutes to celebrate. Casemiro was the one who restored the lead for the home team with a header from a corner kick.

Ronaldo could have ended his run of silence in the first half if he had not been denied at least three chances. The first was a late effort to catch Benzema's cross, and the next two were cleared by goalkeeper Roberto.

Real Madrid paid the price for failing to score the decisive goal in the second half. Malaga once again surprised with a 2-2 equalizer in the 58th minute. Midfielder Gonzalo Castro fired a left-footed shot from 25 meters that bounced off goalkeeper Kiko Casilla and into the net.

If not for the decisive goal in the 76th minute, the match could have ended in a draw. The referee determined that the Malaga defender had fouled Luka Modric in the middle of the penalty area during a challenge for the ball, and awarded Real a penalty.

Ronaldo took a penalty kick that went straight into goalkeeper Roberto's hand and bounced out. Immediately after, CR7 rushed in and tapped the ball with his left foot to increase the score to 3-2.

Ronaldo scored his second goal in La Liga 2017-2018. Photo: Reuters

This is Ronaldo's second goal after 13 rounds of La Liga. The goal also ended a streak of four consecutive matches without a goal for the star wearing the number 7 shirt in the national championship.

Thanks to the victory over Malaga, Real has 27 points. The defending champion has just consolidated third place and reduced the gap with the leading team Barca to seven points.

Barca will play late in round 13 when they visit Valencia. This is also a match between two teams that have not lost a match since the beginning of the tournament.

According to VNE