Real Madrid defeat Malaga on the back of Gareth Bale's goal to record their 16th straight win

Gareth Bale’s goal clinched Real Madrid’s 16th consecutive win this season

Malaga, Nov 30 (IANS/EFE) Real Madrid won their 16th straight match -- a historic record -- to down the hometown Malaga squad unbeaten at La Rosaleda stadium until now. From the opening minutes, Malaga handed over the initiative and the ball to Real Madrid.

Malaga on defence had Rosales on the right and the Ivory Coast's Arthur Boka on the left to stop Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who nonetheless got past them for the first goal attempt of the game, which was blocked, however, by Cameroon goalkeeper Kameni.

Real Madrid continued to dominate until the critical moment when Cristiano Ronaldo took a midfield steal down the left for a quick cross to Karim Benzema, who got it past Kameni to make it 1-0 at minute 18.

The second half started out like the first -- Real Madrid attacked and dominated but didn't score. Former Malaga player Isco almost scored but Kameni saved well and kept Malaga in the running.

With the two teams' energies seeming to dwindle, the locals were hit with the added problem of central defender Sergio Sanchez's injury.

But then a stolen ball in midfield by Madrid had lethal consequences. Cristiano Ronaldo took a long pass and headed it over to Bale, whose powerful right-foot shot in the 83rd minute was impossible for Kameni to save, and the score was 2-0.

The game was really over, but Malaga succeeded in a last-gasp attempt to get on the scoreboard in injury time when Santa Cruz took Boka's cross from the left and headed the ball into the net right on the 90th minute mark to make it 2-1.

And that was it: Madrid had strung together a record 16 victories while Malaga lost its first home-team game.