Real Madrid welcomed Malaga to the Bernabeu on Wednesday looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to eight points.
They had the lead inside three minutes when Raul Albiol headed home from inside the box, but Malaga were level 12 minutes later when Roque Santa Cruz tapped home from close range.
Cristiano Ronaldo passed up the opportunity to make it 2-1 from the penalty spot after 21 minutes having been felled by Sergio Sanchez, who received his marching orders.
However, he did not have to wait long to score his 200th goal for the club, with the Portuguese finding the back of the net moments later, before Mesut Ozil got in on the act after 33 minutes.
Antunes made it 3-2 with a stunning finish three minutes later, but it was four for Madrid in first-half stoppage time courtesy of Karim Benzema.
Madrid continued to dominate in the second half, with Luka Modric adding their fifth of the evening just past the hour mark, before Malaga were reduced to nine men when Martin Demichelis was given his marching orders for a rash challenge on Ronaldo.
It got worse for Malaga in the latter stages, however, when Angel di Maria added the home side's sixth with a cool finish from outside the box.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Malaga. The home side know that another three points would all but sew up second position in the table, but they will lose their league crown this season bar a minor miracle. Malaga, meanwhile, still have their eyes on a top-four finish.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have just shaded it with three wins from the last five matches. However, as mentioned, Malaga were 3-2 winners in the reverse match last December. There is no question that Malaga will feel that they can take something from this match.
As it stands, Real Madrid sit in second position in the table, five points clear of Atletico Madrid, who overcame Celta Vigo earlier this evening. They will be able to call upon a strong home record this evening, meanwhile, having won 15 of their 17 matches, remaining unbeaten in the process. A win for Malaga this evening, however, would move them level on points with fifth-placed Valencia.
TEAMS:
MADRID: Lopez; Nacho, Varane, Albiol, Coentrao; Essien, Modric, Alonso; Ronaldo, Benzema, Ozil
MALAGA: Caballero; Sanchez, Lugano, Demichelis, Antunes; Eliseu, Isco, Portillo, Camacho; Baptista, Santa Cruz
So there we have it. Diego Lopez continues between the sticks for the home side, while there are also starts for Nacho, Raul Albiol and Michael Essien. Malaga, meanwhile, pair Roque Santa Cruz and Julio Baptista in attack, with Portillo and Ignacio Camacho also coming into the side. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Madrid.
Just a reminder that Barcelona will win in the title this evening if Madrid do not pick up the three points. It will be interesting to see what Malaga side turns up, with Pellegrini's side losing four of their last six matches. Let's hope that both sides perform to their best in the Spanish capital. Perfect night for a game of football.
GOAL! Madrid 1-0 Malaga (Albiol)
Madrid have the lead inside the opening three minutes as Albiol heads a Modric corner into the back of the net. It's a fine header from the Spaniard, but where on earth was the marking? That has certainly livened the atmosphere inside the stadium.
No Pepe in the Madrid side this evening with the Portuguese omitted for comments that he made about Mourinho at the weekend, where he criticised the Portuguese's treatment of Iker Casillas, who remains on the bench this evening. Malaga just have not started in this match as the home side continue to utterly dominate the possession.
Half-chance for the away side to respond as Baptista attempts to find Santa Cruz in the box, but Varane manages to clear at the vital moment. Decent pressure from Malaga in the last couple of moments as they pass and probe outside the box, but eventually Lopez does manage to gather possession. Plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening.
Just a reminder that as it stands Malaga will not compete in European competition next season due to a financial ban. It is understood that the club will appeal, but suggestions are that it will not be successful. In fairness to the away side, they have enjoyed a strong period of possession since falling behind to that Albiol header. Little under 10 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
Free kick in Ronaldo territory as Benzema is felled by Lugano outside the penalty area. The Portuguese steps up to take the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Ronaldo collects the rebound before finding Modric, but the Croatian's pass towards Benzema finds the striker in an offside position.
Madrid attack in their numbers once more as Ronaldo collects possession outside the box before finding Coentrao, but the left-back just cannot evade the challenge of Antunes. A sloppy touch from Demichelis almost allows Ozil into the Malaga box moments later, but the Argentine does manage to clear at the vital moment.
Half-chance for Malaga this time as Isco floats a dangerous cross into the Madrid box, Lopez comes to clear, with the goalkeeper gaining a free kick for a heavy challenge from Antunes. It is the away supporters that can be heard as this first period really begins to gather pace. Plenty of suggestions that Malaga will attempt to out-score Madrid this evening as they continue to attack.
GOAL! Madrid 1-1 Malaga (Santa Cruz)
Malaga level! Again it's poor defending from a set piece that brings the goal as Santa Cruz ghosts into the box to head home from close range. What on earth was Nacho doing there? Malaga deservedly level with 15 minutes on the clock.
Again it's wonderful work on the counter from the home side as Modric and Ozil combine before finding Ronaldo, but his powerful effort is blocked by Lugano. Madrid may have had their struggles this season, but is there a better counter-attacking team in world football? Malaga force a corner down the other end moments later, but Lopez comes to clear. Enthralling opening to this La Liga affair.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side as Ronaldo bursts into the box before attempting to slide an effort into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. That will go down as a bid miss from the Portuguese. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment, which is excellent news for the spectator.
Malaga continue to threaten the home side as Baptista takes control of a bouncing ball in the box before sliding a pass towards Isco, but the Spaniard just cannot collect under pressure from Varane. Isco is involved moments later, but his strike from distance never had enough power to really trouble Lopez.
PENALTY TO MADRID AND RED CARD FOR SANCHEZ
Good grief. Madrid are awarded a penalty as Sergio Sanchez pulls Ronaldo to the ground in the box. No prizes for guessing who will take it. Ronaldo is on 199 for the club.
SAVE! Wow! Caballero saves! Not the best of penalties from Ronaldo as the forward thumps it straight down the middle, with the Argentine stopper on hand to make the save. That is only the third time he has missed a penalty for the Spanish outfit.
Another controversial moment here as the referee awards Madrid an indirect free kick inside the box following a back-pass. It's very harsh on the away side, but Caballero was always taking a risk. Can Madrid respond following the disappointment of the missed penalty?
GOAL! Madrid 2-1 Malaga (Ronaldo)
Stunning from Ronaldo as the Portuguese somehow finds the smallest of gaps to strike his effort into the back of the net. Malaga will feel that the decision to award the indirect free kick was harsh, but Ronaldo still had a lot to do. That is his 200th goal for the club.
Meanwhile, Malaga are forced into their first change of the match as Manuel Iturra replaces Baptista. That is a real shame for the Brazilian, but needs must with the away side reduced to 10 men. Malaga really need to be careful here with little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Ronaldo comes close to his second of the night as he thumps a free kick from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post. Good grief that was close! He seems a man on a mission this evening. In fairness to the Malaga supporters, they continue to make their voices heard inside the stadium. I would be astounded if we did not see more goals this evening.
Isco attempts to force the issue down the other end as he collects possession outside the box before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. The threat remains from an Isco corner, but Demichelis cannot win the aerial battle with Varane.
GOAL! Madrid 3-1 Malaga (Ozil)
Madrid have their third of the evening 10 minutes before the interval as Ozil bursts into the Malaga box before turning past Lugano and finding the bottom corner. Stunning counter attack from the Spanish champions.
Well, I had a feeling that this would be a real classic this evening, which has been the case thus far. It is a shame that Malaga have been reduced to 10 men, because they were more than in this match at 1-1. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining, it could get worse for the away side.
GOAL! Madrid 3-2 Malaga (Antunes)
Good grief what an effort! Sensational work from Antunes as the Malaga defender cuts inside Nacho before thumping an effort into the top corner. That is some strike from the defender. Well, that has certainly made things interesting.
Madrid force the issue down the other end moments later as Alonso finds Ronaldo in the box, but the Portuguese is just challenged by Lugano at the vital moment. Isco is a threat on the counter for the away side, but Santa Cruz never had enough pace to worry Varane. What a stunning 39 minutes of football we have seen this evening.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net once more as Ronaldo heads home from close range, but Ronaldo had moved into an offside position. Very close, but the linesman did indeed make the correct call. Well, Malaga are down to 10 men and have conceded three goals in the Spanish capital, but are more than in this match with three minutes of the first half remaining.
Malaga are forced into a change of goalkeeper in the latter stages of the half as Caballero is replaced by Kameni. The away side have so far been forced into two substitutions that they would not have wanted to make. Little over one minute of normal time remaining, but I suspect we will have a fair chunk of added time.
It's good work from the away side this time as Iturra combines with Antunes before driving a low cross into the box, but Lopez was always the favourite to gather the danger. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional five minutes.
GOAL! Madrid 4-2 Malaga (Benzema)
Madrid have their fourth of the match in the latter stages of the half as Ronaldo finds Benzema in the box, who simply cannot miss from close range. Unselfish play from Ronaldo. Is that officially game over?
You just get the feeling that this could get nasty for the away side in the second period if they do not keep their discipline. It is almost five as Benzema bursts into the box, but the Frenchman is ruled offside. Little over one minute of additional time remaining in the first period.
HALF-TIME: Madrid 4-2 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Madrid leading 4-2 after a fabulous half of football. It was an even contest in the early stages, but a red card for Sergio Sanchez put Malaga at a major disadvantage. I suspect that we could see more goals in the second period.
STATISTICS: Madrid have enjoyed more of the possession in the first period with 54%, while they have had eight attempts to Malaga's three. In truth it should be five with Ronaldo missing from the spot, but he did score goal number 200 for the club with an indirect free kick inside the box. He has now scored 200 goals in 197 games for the club.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking talent on the pitch in the shape of Kaka, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon, not to mention Angel di Maria and youngster Fabinho. Meanwhile, Malaga have the likes of Joaquin and Javier Saviola in reserve, but they have just one change remaining.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that three points for Madrid will prevent Barcelona from becoming the champions of Spain this evening. Right, the away side get the half underway on this mild evening in Madrid.
Half-chance for the home side to add their fifth in the early stages of the second period as Ronaldo finds Benzema in the box, but the Frenchman's effort is straight at the goalkeeper. You just get the feeling that the floodlights could really open if Madrid score again in the next couple of minutes.
That goal almost comes as Modric takes possession away from Antunes before finding Ozil just outside the box, but the German cannot slide a low pass towards Ronaldo. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, it is almost like a pre-season friendly. A goal for the away side would certainly liven up proceedings.
Pellegrini does not look too happy on the sidelines as he bows his head following another misplaced pass from Isco. Ronaldo attempts to force the issue down the other end as he finds Coentrao down the left, but the Portuguese overcooks his cross. Not too much from Malaga in the second period thus far.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Benzema to add his second as Kameni fails to collect a corner from Modric, it falls to Benzema, but Antunes is across to make a fine block. Ronaldo has an effort from close range moments later, but Kameni is across to make the save. It does appear that Madrid's fifth goal is coming.
You just get the feeling that Madrid could run up a cricket score if they wanted this evening, but where is the motivation? The league title is gone and they are almost certain to finish ahead of rivals Atletico Madrid. All one-way traffic, but Coentrao becomes the latest Madrid player to be given offside just inside the box.
Varane is just strolling around the pitch with his cigar at the moment as he has time to pick out Alonso in midfield. The Spaniard attempts to slide a pass towards Ronaldo, but Lugano is across to make the challenge. Just a reminder that Jose Mourinho has three changes remaining if he should wish, but Pellegrini has just one.
Madrid continue to utterly dominate the possession with Alonso and Modric joining the attack at each opportunity, but the home side have been unable to breach this defence in the second period. Malaga, for a large part of the season, had the best defensive record in La Liga, but that has diminished in recent months. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Malaga attempt to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but the first is headed clear by Albiol before Lopez comes through a host of bodies to claim the second. Madrid pass and probe down the other end moments later, but eventually Ronaldo's pass towards Benzema is over-hit. Not too much to report in the last few moments.
In truth, the second period has been a slight non-event with Madrid in total control. In fairness you cannot blame Malaga, they will not want to take a real hiding this evening, but we have already seen that this Madrid defence can be exposed. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu.
GOAL! Madrid 5-2 Malaga (Modric)
Oh my word that is some strike from Modric. Just wonderful from the Croatian as he collects possession outside the box before thumping an effort into the back of the net. What a lovely goal. It proves to be his last action as Modric is replaced by Angel di Maria.
Malaga may be down to 10 men, but they have been really poor this evening there is no question about that. Madrid look capable of scoring each time they attack, which this Malaga defence in the early stages of the season would not have allowed. I could quite easily see more goals in the remaining stages of this match.
Ronaldo comes close to his second as he strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post. It would be no exaggeration to say that Malaga have barely had the ball in the Madrid half in the second period, let alone had any opportunities to add to their tally.
Madrid make another change as Benzema is replaced by Gonzalo Higuain, who will hope to get among the scoring in the latter stages of the match. Ozil comes close to his second of the evening as he thumps an effort towards goal, but Kameni is out to make the save. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
You would not know that Mourinho's side are 5-2 ahead as he continues to scowl on the sidelines. It is almost certain that he will leave at the end of the season, but to Manchester United or Chelsea? Both are interested that is for certain. Not too much to report in the last few moments with Madrid comfortable in possession of the ball.
RED CARD! Malaga are reduced to nine men as Demichelis is given his marching orders for a late challenge on Ronaldo. It goes from bad to worse for the away side. It was a really poor tackle from the experienced centre-back.
Ronaldo strikes the resulting free kick, but it thumps straight into the wall. Meanwhile, Malaga make their third change of the match as the experienced American Onyewu replaces Eliseu. Madrid also make their final change with Fabinho replaces Coentrao.
Debut for Fabinho this evening, who is highly-rated at Madrid. There are a couple more goals in this match for the home side if they wish to really embarrass Malaga in the latter stages. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining, the away side will want it to be over as soon as possible.
It's positive work from Fabinho as the Brazilian combines with Di Maria before driving a low cross into the box, but Ozil had just moved into an offside position. It has not been a good few weeks for Malaga, who were also well beaten by Valencia a couple of weeks ago. They must recover ahead of the weekend's clash with Sevilla.
Ronaldo wants another penalty as the Portuguese hits the deck in the penalty area, but the referee books Ronaldo for diving. Slightly harsh, but the attacker did accept the decision. Meanwhile, Iturra becomes the latest Malaga player to be booked for something that he has said to the referee.
Ozil looks to have a real problem here as the German leaves the field following a challenge with Antunes. It does appear that the midfielder might have turned an ankle. Madrid will now finish this match with 10 men having made all three of their changes. It does not look good for the German.
Just a reminder that Barcelona could win the title this weekend when they travel to Atletico Madrid, but I am certain they will not relish travelling to the Vicente Calderon. Not too much to report in the final couple of moments with Madrid simply keeping possession in the Malaga half.
Di Maria attempts to force the issue as he drives through the heart of the defence, but Kameni just collects at the vital moment. The Malaga stopper makes a meal of the clearance, but luckily for the away side, Di Maria had his back turned. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of stoppage time.
GOAL! Madrid 6-2 Malaga (Di Maria)
Madrid have their sixth in second-half stoppage time as Di Maria curls a wonderful effort into the back of the net. That is just about as good as it gets from the Argentine. That caps a truly horrifying evening for Malaga.
FULL-TIME: Madrid 6-2 Malaga
So there we have it. Madrid hit Malaga for six to prevent Barcelona from claiming the league title this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us this weekend for more La Liga football. Until then!
