Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid to a club-record 16th consecutive victory in all competitions.

Ronaldo then flicked a header on for Gareth Bale to seal the victory with a firm finish on the break.

Real's Isco was sent off for a second booking before Roque Santa Cruz headed in a late consolation goal.

The victory sees Ancelotti better the 15-match sequences achieved by Jose Mourinho in 2011 and Miguel Munoz in 1961.

Ronaldo, 29, has played an integral role in Real's recent run and he took his tally of assists to eight for the season to help end Malaga's unbeaten home record.

Real have reacted "with surprise" to suggestions made by Uefa president Michel Platini that Ronaldo does not deserve to retain the Ballon d'Or.

Platini has said the honour should go to a member of Germany's World Cup winning squad and Ronaldo played as if to prove a point.

Only a fine performance by Carlos Kameni in the Malaga goal prevented Ronaldo from having more assists and goal to show for his efforts.

Bale's low ball across the face of goal found Ronaldo but Kameni reacted to beat away the firm first-time shot but Malaga did not stay level for long.

Ronaldo made progress down the left with a succession of stepovers and his left-foot cross was met by Benzema at the near post for his eighth league goal of the season. Malaga felt Benzema had gained an advantage by pulling Weligton out of position immediately before the goal.

Malaga twice went close with long-range shots just before half-time.

Sergi Darder's volley slipped through Iker Casillas's grasp and went narrowly wide before Duda's free-kick clipped the crossbar with goalkeeper well beaten.

Malaga were indebted to Kameni again with 14 minutes remaining when he dived low to his right to save superbly from Ronaldo after the Malaga defence failed to cut out Bale's ball in from the left.

Real were beginning to look nervy in the closing stages but Bale settled the nerves by adding a second goal at the end of a searing counter-attack.

Ronaldo flicked on Marcelo's long pass from the back and Kameni had no chance of saving Bale's fierce right-foot shot.

Real were forced to hold on for the victory with 10 men when Isco was dismissed against his former club following a second yellow card with four minutes left.

Malaga took advantage of the extra body when Santa Cruz met Arthur Boka's cross from the left but it came too late to make a difference for the hosts.