Cristiano Ronaldo is furious, he thinks he should have a penalty as he is pulled by Fran Velez - hard to know either way whether he had a point. Inconclusive replay.

It's an open game now as Almeria start to push for a second equaliser. Fernando Soriano slices a shot, which doesn't even go out of play.

Real Madrid counter and Cristiano Ronaldo forces a good save from Ruben with a drive.

Image source, Getty Images

It's nearly 3-1 - it should be. Gareth Bale uses his pace to fly away from the Almeria defence and I'm not sure if it's a shot for the far corner or a pass for Cristiano Ronaldo to slide in at the post but either way it's past Ronaldo and the post. Goal-kick.

Opta statistician Duncan Alexander on Twitter: , external‏"Gareth Bale - 22 goals in 39 La Liga apps.

"Angel Di Maria - 22 goals in 124 La Liga apps."

James, Oxford: Ronaldo has shone regardless of the team around him. He is up with Pele and Maradona - but their national teams were far better than Portugal.

Bertie in London: So sick of the argument that you need to play well at a World Cup to be considered a great. Maradona and Pele weren't born in Portugal.

Phill, Wirral: By that rationale George Best was a Sunday league player!

Jerry Worley:, external It's all about opposition. My cub team had a winning run of three years on the trot - about 60 games. So they've got a long way to go.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins a corner as his shot from out wide is deflected out of play.

Even if he scored one goal tonight, that would take his average for the season down.

As things stand he has none. Can he remedy that in the next 40 minutes or so?

Neil Murfin: , externalHow would Real & co cope against the mighty Hull, Burnley, Stoke, QPR, Leicester, Palace, WBA, Sunderland etc

Real Madrid get the second half going.

Image source, Empics

Sami Hyypia, whose managerial career seems to be nosediving after a decent start with Bayer Leverkusen, could be under even more pressure tonight as his Brighton side trail 1-0 to Championship relegation rivals Millwall.

Another manager with future uncertain is Ally McCoist, who resigned at Rangers, who can't afford to pay him off. His side (with him still in charge) are losing 1-0 to Queen of the South in the Scottish second tier.

Joe in Rotherham: Re Tim Meager, the top teams such as Bayern, who they ripped to shreds in the Champions League semi-finals last season? Or Barca that they have played and won 3-1?

Real Madrid only had two shots on target...

Matthew Turner: , externalReal Madrid have such talent that the world record of 24 straight wins could and should be beaten.

Kevin in Hornchurch: Ronaldo just cannot be compared to Pele and Diego Maradona, mainly because they delivered on the greatest stage at World Cups and Ronaldo didn't or hasn't yet. Until that time not comparable.

So basically you're saying Cristiano Ronaldo is no Oleg Salenko?

Tim Meager: Can't wait for them to actually face a proper competition, played Atletico Madrid and lost. All they have played against are Celta Vigo etc. Can't wait to see them play Chelsea, Bayern and other top quality sides!

Andy Ryan: Two and a half team league - more predictable than the Scottish Premiership, just pays more.

How can a league with three teams (at least) challenging for the title be more predictable than the Scottish top-flight minus Rangers?

Almeria caretaker Miguel Rivera will be heartened but frustrated by what he's seen so far.

Real Madrid halfway to win number 20.

Image source, Getty Images

Toni Kroos crosses the ball in for Gareth Bale, who is in absolutely loads of space, to head home past Ruben.

Real Madrid go straight on the hunt for another goal and win a corner almost immediately...

Real Madrid are shellshocked, this is a stunning goal. Real Madrid only half-clear a cross to Verza, who smashes the ball in on a half-volley from 25 yards. It flies past Iker Casillas into the net. Amazing.

Rian Hoskins: , externalAsier Illaramendi needs to perform in LUka Modric's absence. Cost a lot and was talked about as the next Xabi Alonso. Hasn't delivered.