Real Madrid 3 Málaga 2: goals, action, report
LAFC vs LA Galaxy: Vela vs Zlatan live online, MLS week 25
The rebound is a dangerous thing in the amorous sphere but Cristiano Ronaldo felt the adulation of the Bernabéu after he pounced on his own saved penalty to hand Real Madrid three points against a spirited Málaga side who twice came from behind to throw the cat among the Bernabéu pigeons.
Dropped points were not on the menu on Saturday afternoon with Real already playing Liga catch-up after only 12 games and chasing a 10-point Barcelona lead. It was another cat, Karim Benzema, who opened the scoring as he stooped to head in another rebound from Ronaldo header onto the bar but Málaga hit back swiftly, Keko squaring for Diego Rolán after Toni Kroos played a no-look ball to nobody in particular into his own area.
Casemiro popped up at the other end to head Real back into the lead after forcing a corner himself with a stinging drive but even the all-action Brazilian could not prevent Málaga levelling again in the second half as Real's defence had a collective meltdown. Raphael Varane's poor clearance fell straight to Keko, who fed Chory Castro on the edge of the area. Given all the time in the world, the Uruguayan buried a shot under the dive of Kiko Casilla to make it 2-2.
Ronaldo's take two saves Real's day
With the Bernabéu increasingly on the backs of their side, it fell to substitute Luka Modric to move centre stage. Receiving a Lucas Vázquez ball in the area, the Croatian went down under a clumsy Luis Hernández challenge and referee Gil Manzano had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Cue Ronaldo. The Portuguese saw his effort saved by the excellent Roberto but was swiftest to the rebound and poked home with his left foot to seal the game.
