Malaga

2.81

• 
  66

  53

  1.50

  Willy Caballero Flop of the Match

  Made a couple of world class saves from a close range Cristiano Ronaldo header and a Sami Khedira strike, and kept his side in the match at times. Unfortunately, his night will be remembered for a horrible gaffe on a shot from Karim Benzema that agonisingly crept through his legs.

• 
  15

  32

  3.00

  Sergio Sánchez

  Got in about Real Madrid admirably and engaged in a personal battle with Ronaldo down the left, which got slightly heated at times. However, on too many occasions he let the Portuguese get the better of him, which resorted in a number of cynical fouls.

• 
  43

  19

  3.00

  Joris Mathijsen

  A fantastic defensive performance from the big centre back. Organised the back line excellently, particularly in the first half, which frustrated Madrid greatly. Made a number of brilliant interceptions, most notably heading the ball away from danger when it looked destined for the head of Higuain at the back post.

• 
  39

  22

  3.00

  Monreal

  A swashbuckling display from the young left back. Displayed impressive athleticism throughout the match and got up and down the left wing with ease. Always showed for the ball on the wing and put a number of inch perfect crosses into the box.

• 
  27

  20

  2.00

  Martín Demichelis

  Was dominant aerially throughout the match and dealt with Higuain solidly. However, his positioning is still very suspect as he left his post on a number of occasions and left Mathijsen to cover. Did manage to make a couple of marauding runs out of defence that launched a couple of Malaga attacks.

• 
  42

  19

  3.00

  Jérémy Toulalan

  Excellent display in the first half from the Frenchman. Madrid played with very little width and so the game was narrow in the opening 45 minutes, allowing Toulalan to tighten up the space in front of his defence and the visitors struggled to break through. Continually made perfectly-timed tackles in midfield and acted as a cool head whenever Jose Mourinho's men looked to be in the ascendancy.

• 
  21

  16

  3.50

  Santi Cazorla

  Had a very productive first half and showed some classy touches. Gave his side a lot of drive but ultimately failed to break through the rock solid duo of Diarra and Alonso in midfield in order to affect the play in more advanced areas. Drifted out of the game as time went on.

• 
  18

  27

  3.50

  Isco

  Saw plenty of the ball in the first half but his decision making was suspect throughout his time on the park. Opted to attempt elaborate dribbles when perhaps a simple pass to a team-mate would have sufficed. The skill and flair was definitely there, but he needs to link up with other players more.

• 
  23

  19

  3.50

  Eliseu

  Had a couple of shots on goal from distance in the first half and had Casillas scrambling with a well-struck left-footed effort from the right-hand side that flashed by the post. However, as the game progressed he found his time on the ball limited and was substituted for Maresca in the second half.

• 
  11

  19

  2.50

  Sebastián Fernández Miglierina

  Squandered Malaga's best opportunity of the first half when he missed a relatively free header in the 28th minute. Played with plenty of gusto in the final third but lacked the quality on the ball to truly hurt Madrid. Was removed for Rondon in the 66th minute.

• 
  56

  18

  3.00

  Ruud Van Nistelrooy

  A good performance from the Dutchman this evening. Lacks a yard of pace these days but made up for it with plenty of endeavour and certainly fought for his side through intense pressing of the Madrid players. Came close with a header on goal in the first half but found goalscoring opportunities limited.

Substitutions

• 
  19

  19

  3.00

  Diego Buonanotte

  Brought on in the last 10 minutes as Malaga chased the game but failed to get on the ball.

• 
  11

  19

  0.00

  Vincenzo Maresca

  Late substitution.

• 
  15

  17

  2.00

  Rondón

  Came on as Malaga attempted to grab a goal but could not get into the game.

Real Madrid CF

2.79

• 
  173

  31

  3.50

  Iker Casillas

  Displayed signs of frustration at his defence at times as Malaga sniffed around for the opening goal in the first half. However, he needn't worry as the back line remained solid. Did not have a save to make in the match.

• 
  113

  85

  2.00

  Arbeloa

  Was slightly wasteful in possession in the final third. Was one of only two wide Madrid players but did not utilise the space effectively and mostly passed the ball back into the centre. Picked up two very silly bookings and got himself sent off to earn a domestic suspension.

• 
  280

  36

  3.00

  Pepe

  Another solid performance from the Portuguese defender. Gave Casillas a shaky pass back in the opening minutes but settled into the game magnificently and made sure Van Nistelrooy and Co did not threaten too much. Also made a couple of outstanding challenges, including a solid block on a Cazorla shot in the closing moments of the match.

• 
  261

  21

  3.00

  Sergio Ramos

  Completely comfortable throughout the match. Dominated the Malaga attackers physically and displayed an extremely cool head when in possession. Came close to scoring in the second period with a half-volley inside the box, only for Caballero to make an excellent save.

• 
  160

  37

  3.00

  Fabio Coentrao

  Did slightly better in wide positions than Arbeloa but ultimately did not offer decent service into the box. Fared better defensively and was effective in his tackling; just needs to offer more to the team when he has the ball.

• 
  193

  31

  2.50

  Lassana Diarra

  The Frenchman attempted to drive the team forward in the first half when there was no link between the midfield and attack. However, when in possession he lacked the quality to pick out killer passes in the final third. Did better when Ozil took up this position and he moved deeper to screen the defence.

• 
  173

  29

  3.00

  Xabi Alonso

  Short passing was as tidy as always. However, with the lack of width that Madrid had at times in the game, was unable to utilise his cross-field pass. Looked more at ease on the ball when Marcelo and Ronaldo came wide and this allowed him to start spraying the ball around the field.

• 
  163

  206

  1.50

  Kaká

  Took off again at half time in the Copa del Rey after yet another uninspiring performance. Touch was off in the first 45 minutes and failed to establish any kind of meaningful link or communication with Ronaldo or Benzema. Looks to be far from finding his form.

• 
  158

  65

  3.00

  Sami Khedira

  Attempted to get forward and support the front three while Diarra and Xabi Alonso sat deep. Forced a decent save from Caballero in the 39th minute with a shot from close to the byline, but in doing so fell awkwardly and had to be withdrawn.

• 
  128

  102

  2.50

  Gonzalo Higuaín

  Cut a fairly frustrated figure this evening. Was marshalled very well by Demichelis and Mathijsen during his time on the field and failed to affect the game, mainly due to the lack of service from his team-mates. Thought he had scored with a fantastic header in the 68th minute only to be ruled as offside.

• 
  200

  244

  2.50

  Cristiano Ronaldo

  An off night this evening for Ronaldo. Attempted the spectacular a few times and had a few flicks that did not come off. Missed a glorious chance to give Madrid the lead in the 63rd minute when he missed a header from seven yards which Caballero managed to save. A couple of speculative shots at goal, but did not trouble the hosts as he would like.

Substitutions

• 
  166

  41

  3.00

  Marcelo

  Offered width to Madrid which they were sorely lacking of in the first half. A couple of decent crosses into the box but did not affect the game too much.

• 
  620

  24

  3.00

  Mesut Özil

  The German changed the match for his side after his introduction. Injected pace and incisive passing into the play and picked out pinpoint passes through the middle of the Malaga defence.

• 
  466

  39

  3.50

  Karim Benzema Top of the Match

  Could not believe his luck when a speculative shot at goal shortly after his introduction was fumbled terribly by Caballero. Strike proved to be the winner in the match and helped Madrid hold on in the remaining minutes.