Ronaldo, Benzema score again, but Madrid fail to convince

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo got back among the goals in the Liga Santander as Real Madrid claimed a far from convincing 3-2 win at home to Malaga on Saturday.

The two Madrid strikers had scored just one goal each in the domestic league before kick-off, but Benzema needed just nine minutes to get on the scoresheet after Ronaldo had hit a Marcelo cross against the crossbar.

Madrid kicked off 10 points behind Barcelona, who have a difficult game away to second placed Valencia on Sunday, and had no margin for error, but Malaga were quickly on level terms when Diego Rolan controlled a ball from Keko and beat Kiko Casilla, preferred in the Madrid goal despite Keylor Navas' return to fitness.

It was the first goal Malaga had scored away from home in seven away games, but Madrid were quickly back in front after Casemiro headed home a corner taken by Tony Kroos.

Malaga keeper Roberto denied Cristiano Ronaldo's long range shot and Benzema fired across the face of goal as Madrid looked to seal their win but Malaga had cause to feel hard done by when Paul Baysee, who replaced the injured Juan Carlos headed what looked to be a good goal on the stroke of halftime only to see it disallowed for a supposed push.

Roberto did well to deny Kroos from close range and Chori Castro equalized again with a long shot Casilla should have dealt with.

Ronaldo failed to get a touch when it looked easier to score for Madrid and Zinedine Zidane decided to replace Isco with Luka Modric.

Modric forced a penalty with 15 minutes remaining and although Roberto saved Ronaldo's original spot kick the striker followed up to net the rebound, although his traditional celebration was very muted, as was Madrid's display in general.