Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Real Madrid, helping his club delay rival Barcelona’s claim to the Spanish league title by trouncing a 10-man Malaga 6-2 on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Had the Spanish powerhouse dropped a point, Barcelona would have lifted its 22nd league crown, its fourth in five seasons.
Instead, a determined-looking Madrid went on a goal rampage, opening the scoring when Raul Albiol headed inside the far post from a corner launched by Luka Modric in the third minute.
Roque Santa Cruz equalized in the 15th minute when he bounced in a ball off the far post after a corner kicked by Francisco “Isco” Alarcon.
Sergio Sanchez conceded a penalty and earned a straight red card in the 21st minute when he held an advancing Ronaldo in the penalty area. The Portuguese international tried to convert the penalty but goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero kicked the Madrid forward’s powerful shot clear with his outstretched left foot.
Ronaldo made up for the miss by adding the second goal five minutes later with a precise free kick from just outside the box.