Madrid are enjoying themselves down the left flank, afro-haired full-back Marcelo storming forward at every opportunity. Another dangerous ball is swung in by the Brazilian, but it just evades Karim Benzema who cannot keep the ball in play.

Another minute, another Ronaldo chance. The Real Madrid superstar muscles his way into space inside the Malaga box again, meeting another left-wing cross from Marcelo with his head. But he is unable to keep his effort down again and Malaga survive.

Cristiano Ronaldo sticks the ball in the back of the net! But it is not a legal goal. The linesman's flag is wafting in the gentle Madrid breeze even before Ronaldo guides the ball in. Offside.

Malaga stop the one-way traffic momentarily, winning a corner of their own. Somehow Roberto Rosales is allowed the freedom of the Madrid penalty box, but the Malaga man cannot keep his header down.

First chance for Cristiano Ronaldo! The Portugusese superstar's eyes light up when a loose ball bounces in front of him about 10 yards. But he pokes over the bar.

All Real Madrid so far - lightning start from the home side. Jese teases and turns Malaga's left-back, forcing a flurry of early corners.

Madrid have a few injury problems - particularly at the back - but they've still got Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. And that spells trouble. Benzema motors down the left flank, wins back a seemingly lost cause, and crosses towards Jese. But the Malaga defence hacks clear.

That truly terrible Madrid club anthem blasts out of the Bernabeu sound system. So corporate. And once that noise pollution is over, we're down to business. Malaga, who are winless and second bottom, kick off.

As the Madrid players limber up in the Bernabeu tunnel, we are just hearing that Lionel Messi will be out of action for "seven to eight weeks" according to Barcelona. Who are Barca playing in eight weeks? Real Madrid of course...

Before we see if Ronaldo can bag a treble and overtake Raul's record, Messi has made a late bid to steal the headlines from his great rival. But not for the right reasons. The Barca superstar lasted less than 10 minutes of his team's 2-1 home win against Las Palmas, limping off with a knee injury.

Barely a week goes by when either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi don't break some record or another. Tonight it is Ronaldo's turn. And it is a proper record. Three more goals and the 30-year-old will become Real Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer....