Real Madrid recorded a club record 16th consecutive win in all competitions with a 2-1 victory at Malaga on Saturday night to move five points clear at the top of La Liga
Madrid: Real Madrid recorded a club record 16th consecutive win in all competitions with a 2-1 victory at Malaga on Saturday night to move five points clear at the top of La Liga.
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Real’s Gareth Bale (left) celebrates his goal vs Malaga with teammate James Rodriguez
Karim Benzema opened the scoring when he turned home Cristiano Ronaldo’s low cross after just 18 minutes to register his 13th goal of the season. Malaga ’keeper Carlos Kameni then kept his side in the game with a string of impressive saves as Ronaldo was held scoreless for the first time in the league this season.
However, Gareth Bale smashed home a second seven minutes from time and the visitors held on despite having Isco sent-off moments later and seeing Roque Santa Cruz half the hosts' deficit in stoppage time. “I’ll get the merit for this, but I have the luck to coach a team with fantastic players,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Fan dies in brawl
Meanwhile, a fan died of cardiac arrest following clashes near Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon Stadium before the Spanish champions’ 2-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna on Sunday, a hospital spokeswoman said. Police said 24 people were arrested in incidents that took place in the streets parallel to the Manzanares river surrounding the Calderon.