Real Madrid 3-1 Málaga

Cristiano Ronaldo has provided 14 assists in La Liga this season, his most in a single league campaign

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 50th goal of the season to help Real Madrid beat Malaga and move to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo crossed for Sergio Ramos to put Madrid ahead but then hit the post with a second-half penalty.

Ronaldo was involved again as James Rodriguez made it 2-0 before Juanmi pulled a goal back for Malaga.

Ronaldo, 30, made it 3-1 from Javier Hernandez's low cross and has now hit 50 goals in his last five seasons.

Barcelona had moved five points clear at the top with victory over Valencia earlier on Saturday and Madrid were made to work for their win by a Malaga side chasing a Europa League spot.

The triumph came at a cost as Gareth Bale and Luka Modric were forced off by injuries.

Wales forward Bale limped off in the fifth minute, while Modric was replaced after an hour.

Gareth Bale has scored 13 La Liga goals for Real Madrid this season

It was a double blow for Carlo Ancelotti's team, who face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.

Ramos' opener came as a result of some poor Malaga marking and the Spain defender was able to convert from Ronaldo's free-kick with a first-time shot,

Sergi Darder should have equalised but skewed his shot wide after Marcelo prodded clear from Arthur Boka.

Real had the chance to give themselves breathing room when Samu Castillejo chopped down Rodriguez in the penalty area but Ronaldo crashed his spot kick against the post.

The second arrived when Rodriguez played one-twos with Isco and Ronaldo on the edge of the Malaga box before rifling his 14th goal of the season into the top corner.

Juanmi set up a tense finish with a firm downward header from Roberto Rosales' cross but Ronaldo's moment arrived in the closing stages.

With Malaga committing numbers forward, Hernandez's pass released Rodriguez down the right and his low centre found the Portugal star unmarked eight yards out for an easy finish.