Real Madrid welcomed goalless Malaga to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that three points would see them return to the top of the La Liga table.
Both teams had chances in an open and entertaining first period, but the score was still goalless at the interval.
A stunning performance from Carlos Kameni kept the scores level entering the latter stages, but Malaga were forced to close out the game with 10 men following a red card for Nordin Amrabat.
The visitors managed to repel a host of late pressure, however, to hold on for an unlikely point.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Malaga. The hosts have just been knocked off the summit after Barcelona won at home to Las Palmas, but Rafael Benitez's side would return to the top with all three points against a Malaga side that have not scored a single league goal thus far this season. The omens are not exactly great for the visitors!
Before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Madrid...
TEAMS
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Nacho, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; Ronaldo, Benzema, Jese
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Torres; Recio, Tissone, Fornals, Tighadouini, Juankar; Amrabat
So there we have it. The surprise name in the Real Madrid teamsheet is Nacho, who starts at centre-back alongside Raphael Varane. Isco will move from a wide position into central midfield, allowing Jese Rodriguez to start in the final third. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are also in the XI here.
As for Malaga, head coach Gracia has brought in both Adnane Tighadouini and Pablo Fornals, who is just 19 years of age. Nordin Amrabat will lead the line for the visitors it what appears to be a 4-5-1 formation. There are no surprises in defence as Marcos Angeleri and Weligton start as the two centre-backs.
So there we have it. That is the team news and kickoff is little over 10 minutes away at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 28 league meetings with Malaga, winning 21 times in the process and scoring at least once in every game. What's more, Malaga have never won a top-flight game at the Bernabeu, losing 12 times. To suggest that Real Madrid are the favourites to record all three points in this game would perhaps be a slight understatement, but as we know, anything can happen!
Real Madrid opened their new La Liga season with a 0-0 draw away to Sporting Gijon, but then beat Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada in their next three, scoring 12 times and not conceding a single goal. They finally conceded against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, but a double from Karim Benzema secured a vital win and moved the capital side onto 13 points for the season.
This game is all the more important for Real Madrid when considering that their next league game is away to Atletico Madrid on October 4. You sense that matches between title challengers will take on even more significance this season and that will be a monumental clash. Los Blancos will want to enter that fixture sitting top of the table, that is for sure. Little over five minutes until kickoff in Madrid!
OFFICIAL: Barça just issued medical report. Messi out for 6 - 8 weeks. Ruptured colateral ligament.
— AS English (@English_AS) September 26, 2015
As for Malaga, it has been a very poor start to the season. Javi Gracia's team have drawn twice and lost three times in the league thus far and incredibly, failed to score a single goal. That run of form has left them in 19th position, only above Sevilla on goal difference. They opened with a 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla, but have since lost to Barcelona, Getafe and Villarreal, in addition to drawing at home to Eibar.
This is the first time that have Malaga, who have lost eight of their last nine away games in La Liga, have got to five games in the league without scoring since they reformed in 1994. It will also not come as much of a surprise that they are the only side in the top five European leagues still looking for their first goal this season - it has not been great thus far! Right, prediction time as kickoff is imminent...
... PREDICTION! Simply put, home win. Malaga are better than they have shown this season, but Real Madrid will simply be too strong for the visitors this evening. For me, Real Madrid 3-0 Malaga.
RESTART! There is an expectant crowd inside the Bernabeu this early evening in Madrid. Can Malaga cause a shock?! It is the visitors that get the first 45 minutes of action underway here...
... not too much to report inside the opening two minutes here, with both teams attempting to settle. A long pass from Angeleri comes close to finding Amrabat, but it just runs away from the forward.
CHANCE! It is last-ditch defending from Torres as the Malaga full-back just about beats Jese to a cross from Benzema. I don't think anyone expected Benzema to meet the initial pass - speedster!
Real Madrid have taken control of the possession inside the opening five minutes, with the hosts moving the ball from left to right and looking for the space. Jese has been lively down the right thus far, but the Spaniard's two crosses have both been blocked. It could be a very long game for Malaga.
CLOSE! Ronaldo comes close to opening the scoring after meeting a low cross from Marcelo, but the attacker's toe-poked effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still waiting for that record!
CHANCE! Malaga come close to taking a shock lead as Recio finds himself free inside the Real Madrid box, but his header from a corner is straight at Navas. Where was the marking there?
GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo has the ball in the back of the net after meeting a cross from Modric, but the attacker was in an offside position. Plenty happening at both ends of the field here.
CHANCE! The opportunities continue to arrive and once again it is Ronaldo that comes close to finding the back of the net, but his diving header from a Marcelo cross is over the crossbar.
Real Madrid might be in control here, but Malaga are causing problems in the final third, with Amrabat having a effort deflected over the crossbar. The resulting corner is also causes concern inside the home side's penalty box, but Real Madrid manage to resist the pressure. Cracking game at the moment.
I would be surprised if we did not see a few goals this evening as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Isco is the latest player to come close to opening the scoring, but after finding space inside the Malaga box, but the Spaniard curls his effort over Kameni's crossbar.
Isco fires another effort over the crossbar as Real Madrid open Malaga in the final third.
It has been a decent last couple of minutes for the away side, who continue to threaten the Real Madrid back four. A wicked corner from the left comes close to finding Recio, but Varane just manages to make first contact. The visitors do not look like a team that have not scored this season.
Amrabat takes the ball away from Modric before trying his luck on goal, but it was a massive ask from the Turk, who was only just inside the Real Madrid half! The hosts manage to break down the other end moments later, but Isco's low cross towards Ronaldo is just cleared by Weligton at the vital moment.
Already a few groans around the Bernabeu. Come on guys! Bit premature!
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Real Madrid just struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. The hosts go down the left before switching to the right, but Malaga sit in and once again cause frustration in the stands. Good 23 minutes from Malaga here.
Tighadouini has been very bright for Malaga in the opening 25 minutes, with his pace and movement causing Real Madrid problems. No chances for either team in the last 10 or so minutes in Madrid.
Amrabat has been nice and positive for Malaga this evening, but the Turk's lack of explosive pace has cost him the chance to get on the end of a couple of through balls. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment and that is credit to Malaga, who are causing Real Madrid problems.
BOOKING! Torres (Malaga) is booked for dissent.
Amrabat is a touch fortunate to escape a card following an ugly challenge on Varane. The Malaga forward caught the Frenchman with his studs, but the referee only issued a home free kick.
CHANCE! Ronaldo continues to look the most likely for the home side and once again comes close after meeting a cross from Carvajal, but the Portuguese's header was wide of the post.
It has been a decent spell for Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes, with Isco and Benzema both involved in the final third. The latter finds all sorts of space inside the Malaga box following a sharp move, but the flag was raised. Jese's pace is becoming more and more of a feature, meanwhile.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Malaga to take the lead as Amrabat drives down the right before delivering a super cross towards the far post, but under pressure, Juan Carlos fires wide!
CHANCE! Down the other end, Jese cuts inside his full-back before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Kameni makes a super save, before denying the same opponent from the resulting corner!
CHANCE! Ronaldo bursts through on goal for Real Madrid before attempting to slide one into the far corner, but Kameni is down to make yet another save! Malaga are holding on a touch here...
... Kameni is one of the finest shot-stoppers in the league and he is showing that here!
Just a reminder that Barcelona have moved above Real Madrid to the top of La Liga following a 2-1 win over Las Palmas in the early start. However, victory for Los Blancos here would see them return to the summit. That said, Malaga are playing some of their best football of the season in this game.
Ronaldo heads over the crossbar as Real Madrid pass up another opportunity here.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe in the Malaga half, but the visitors have been nice and solid at the back in this first period. Still goalless at the Bernabeu.
Juan Carlos and Navas both receive some treatment after clashing following a Amrabat cross, but both players are deemed fit to continue. Not much football left in this first period in Madrid.
CLOSE! Almost a stunning goal from Ronaldo as the attacker catches one on the volley, but it smashed into the post behind the goal. Excellent technique, but his radar was just a little off there!
Kameni gets down to smother a Benzema cross, with Ronaldo once again threatening.
CHANCE! Isco comes close to finding the bottom corner after meeting an excellent cross from Marcelo, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Stunning effort from the Spaniard!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 0-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Real Madrid have dominated the half for long spells and only some fine goalkeeping from Kameni has kept the sides on terms. That said, the visitors have also had some excellent moments in the final third.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have had more of the possession (60%), while they have had 14 attempts. Ronaldo, Benzema and Isco have all come close for the hosts, but wayward finishing has been a problem thus far. As for Malaga, they have had five attempts, but just one of those was on target.
BENCH WATCH! The home side are without a number of key players through injury at the moment, but Rafael Benitez does have the likes of Cheryshev, Kovacic and Vasquez on his bench this evening. Malaga, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Charles, Duda and Horta.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Surely this one is not going to finish 0-0? It is the hosts that get the second 45 minutes of action underway...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. However, I suspect that both managers will already have some alterations in mind here.
Just a reminder that Malaga have still not scored a single league goal this season. This would be a good time to start! You sense that the visitors will need to score to take anything from this game.
OFF-THE-LINE! Ronaldo comes close to sending the home side ahead after meeting a super cross from Carvajal, but Angeleri makes a quite stunning goal-line clearance. Wow!
BOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Tighadouini.
SAVE! Standing over a free kick outside the box, Recio bends one towards the top corner, but his effort is somehow pushed wide by Navas, who flew across his goal. Stunning goalkeeping there!
Well, this has been quite a good opening to the second period. How are we still level!
Ronaldo again comes close for the home side, but he can only strike the side netting after finding space inside the box. Malaga are living a charmed life at the moment. Ronaldo has had 10 shots!
Marcelo drives forward in full flight for Real Madrid, but the left-back cannot evade Rosales and instead it is Malaga that drive down the other end, with Nacho hacking Amrabat to the ground.
BOOKING! Nacho (Real Madrid) is booked for his challenge on Amrabat.
Malaga are defending for their lives at the moment, but surely they will not be able to resist this pressure for the whole game? Jese finds space inside the box, but Weligton is across to make a wonderful challenge. The home supporters are staying with their team for the time being here.
Amrabat and Fornals both come close for Malaga after suspect defending from Real Madrid, but neither can get a clean strike on goal, before Benzema glances one wide down the other end.
SAVE! Kameni again denies Real Madrid, this time collecting a shot from Benzema.
Half-chance for the visitors as Angeleri meets a deep corner from Amrabat, but his header was always over the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and we are still goalless here.
CHANCE! Another glorious chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo meets a deep cross from Marcelo, but Weligton deflects the attacker's effort wide of the post. It just will not go in for Ronaldo!
CHANCE! Jese is next to pass up a wonderful chance for Real Madrid as the Spaniard clips one over the crossbar following a scramble inside the box. This has been an extraordinary game!
REAL MADRID SUB! Kovacic replaces Jese, who leaves the field on a stretcher.
Real Madrid will feel that one goal would be enough to collect all the points here, but Malaga are proving a strong obstacle. That said, you still get the feeling that there are goals in this game.
Malaga are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment, with Real Madrid very much in control of the possession. Modric is the latest player to come close for the hosts, but the Croatian cannot beat Kameni from close range. The Malaga goalkeeper has been just sensational this evening.
CHANCE! Ronaldo? No! Another two chances come and go for the Portuguese. First heading wide of the post, before hitting the side netting from a tight angle. Incredible.
BOOKING! Recio (Malaga) is booked for a poor challenge on Modric.
Malaga have only really had one good chance in this second period, with Recio bringing a super save from Kameni from a dipping free kick. Down the other end, Real Madrid have had shots from every angle, but have not been able to find a way past Kameni. Somehow still goalless in this incredible game.
MALAGA SUB! Juanpi replaces Tighadouini for the visitors.
SAVE! Kameni is again down to deny Benzema as Malaga survive once again.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to take the lead as Amrabat finds space inside the Real Madrid box, but his low effort is just wide of the park. How on earth are we still level here?
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and Malaga are still standing strong. It is an assault from Real Madrid as they continue to force the issue, but it just will not find the back of the net!
Ronaldo drives to the edge of the Malaga box before finding Isco, who attempts to return the favour, but Malaga again manage to clear the danger, before Amrabat's pace threatens down the other end.
RED CARD! Amrabat has been sent off for Malaga for throwing an arm into the face of Marcelo. It is poor from the Turkish international, who might well have cost his team here. What was that!
Moments before the red card, Weligton cleared off the line as Real Madrid threatened once again. This has been an incredible second period. Can Malaga hold on for a point with 10 men here?
MALAGA SUB! Horta replaces Fornals for the away side.
Benzema goes down inside the Malaga box, but the referee is not interested. The hosts have another shot moments later, but Modric's effort from distance was always rising over Kameni's crossbar.
MISS! Another unbelievable miss from Ronaldo as the Portuguese fires wide from close range after Isco had kept the ball in play. This is just incredible now - I have never seen anything like it!
Varane meets a corner from Modric as Real Madrid camp inside the Malaga half, but it is a comfortable save for Kameni, who is close to securing what would be an incredible point for his team.
Malaga manage to pass a couple more minutes with a period of possession inside the Real Madrid half, but after winning a corner, the visitors play short and quickly relinquish control of the ball.
BOOKING! Juanpi (Malaga) is booked for dissent.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
Malaga might just do this! They really might, but there is still time for Real Madrid.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Isco has the ball in the back of the net for the home side, but the flag was raised when Modric collected the first pass. It just will not happen for Real Madrid this evening.
CLOSE! Horta has one deflected past the post as Malaga come close to winning this on the counter attack. We are into the first of four additional minutes and somehow it is still 0-0.
Malaga continue to clear their lines as we approach the very final moments of this game.
CHANCE! Another incredible miss from Ronaldo as the Real Madrid forwards heads a Marcelo cross over the crossbar from point-blank range. Quite stunning miss from the attacker!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 0-0 Malaga
What an incredible game of football in Madrid. Real Madrid had 31 attempts, but just could not find the back of the net against a Malaga team that also had their fair share of opportunities. It has indeed finished goalless at the Bernabeu. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
