Málaga 2 - Real Madrid 3

Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce; Manu (Juanito 65'), Miguel Angel (Koke 85'), Sandro (Rojas 76'), Musampa; Darío Silva, Dely Valdés. 4-4-2.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Figo, Flavio Conceiçao (Celades 68'), Zidane, Solari (Guti 68'); Ronaldo (McManaman 90'), Raúl. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Málaga: Manu, Sandro for Gerardo, Romero / Madrid: Roberto Carlos, Solari, Ronaldo for Raúl Bravo, Cambiasso, Guti.

Goals:
1-0. 16. Musampa. Controlled blocked Manu cross and shot low past Casillas.
2-0. 40. Dely Valdés. Forced ball over line with knees after Darío Silva shot hit bar.
2-1. 47. Zidane. Ran through defence to shoot past Contreras.
2-2. 73. Raúl. Turned in Ronaldo cross from close up.
2-3. 78. Figo (penalty). After Juanito ruled to have fouled Figo himself.

Third placed Real Madrid came back from two goals down for the second week in a row to beat Málaga 2-3 and put pressure on the top two. Del Bosque was able to count on Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo, now recovered from their injuries, and decided to play with a diamond midfield formation, bringing in Solari to play on the left and only playing one anchorman, Flavio, in place of the injured Cambiasso and Makelele. Once again though they got off to lethargic start, and Casillas had to be at his best to save efforts from Darío Silva and Dely Valdés. Then with quarter of an hour on the clock Musampa opened the scoring for the home side, picking up a loose ball after Manu's cross had been blocked, the referee waving away appeals for a hand ball by Manu in the play leading up to the goal.

Five minutes before the break Dely Valdés made it two, following up after Casillas had tipped a Darío Silva chipped shot on to the crossbar, and Madrid seemed to be out of the game. However immediately after the restart Zidane burst through with the defence trailing in his wake to beat Contreras and put his team back in it. That gave the European Champions heart, and after Raúl had gone close twice, the Spanish international striker found the target at the third attempt, turning in a cross from the left by Ronaldo.

It was now a matter of time before Madrid took the lead, and five minutes later a naive Juanito ran into Figo in the penalty area, and Pérez Burrull pointed at the spot. Figo himself stepped up to convert the kick to put his side in front, and substitute Guti could have added another before the end with a first time shot from outside of the area which rattled the crossbar. Del Bosque's side had made it three wins in a row, and if they win their game in hand against Sevilla on 2nd January they will move up to second place. Málaga though have now gone six league games without a victory, and they drop down to eleventh. With Real Sociedad and Barcelona to come, they really must be looking forward to that two week rest.