Real Madrid stay in the fight for the Liga BBVA

Real Madrid picked up three more points in the Santiago Bernabéu to keep the pace with Liga BBVA leaders FC Barcelona. Their 3-1 win over a bold Málaga CF on matchday 32 leaves the title race wide open in the remaining weeks of the season.

The first 45 minutes of the game witnessed plenty of chances for both sides. Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominated at the start and took the lead on 24 minutes, when Sergio Ramos headed home Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick at the far post. Málaga could have equalised before the break but could not make the most of their chances, with Sergi Darder and Nordin Amrabat both going close. At the other end, Málaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni made a couple of fine saves to prevent Madrid from taking an unassailable advantage into the second half.

The second half was even more open, and exciting. The Andalusians looked to find an equaliser from set plays, while Madrid tried to score on the counterattack. They could have doubled their lead from the penalty spot but Cristiano Ronaldo struck the post. The game then took a new twist, bearing witness to two goals in two minutes. First James Rodríguez widened Madrid's lead with a great shot into the far corner, but Málaga replied almost instantly through Juanmi’s header. However, Ronaldo finished the visitors off in injury time, converting Javier Hernández's cross at the near post. The defeat leaves Javi Gracia’s side seventh in the table, while Madrid remain second, still well in the title race.