Ronaldo hat-trick gives Real easy victory

Real Madrid taught Malaga a lesson in football, after four first half goals took Los Blancos to the top of the Primera Liga table.

Free spending Malaga were shown that they have a lot more spending to do, as the gulf in class was evident. The Malaga defence was in sixes and sevens throughout the match and Real made them pay.

Gonzalo Higuain continued his fine scoring form, opening the scoring before a Ronaldo hat-trick silenced the home side.

Both sides had early penalty calls denied by referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz. However, it was only 11 minutes on the clock when Higuain finished from a tight angle after being fed by Angel Di Maria.

Madrid continued their excellent attacking display and extended their lead in the 24th minute. Di Maria was involved again, cutting back from the right flank and setting up Cristiano Ronaldo for one the simplest finishes from five yards out.

Just six minutes later, Ronaldo scored his second after his fancy footwork fooled a few Malaga players allowing him to take a low shot from the edge of the area that was destined for the back of the net.

He completed his hat-trick with a spectacular goal, sending a back-heeled volley past the surprised Ruben in the Malaga goal in the 38th minute.

Malaga had a chance to pull one back before half time, but Casillas rushed out of his goal to make a brilliant save at the feet of Joaquin.

Malaga almost scored minutes into the second half, when Joaquin's free kick came back off the crossbar. Eliseu and Rondon then tried ther luck, but Casillas was up to the task.

Malaga were trying hard to score and Sebastien Fernandez hit the woodwork again with a good half volley. However, the match ended 4-0 to Madrid and took them to top spot in the La Liga standings.

Malaga responded well after shooting themselves in the foot in the first half and will hope they perform better against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday as they aim for Champions League qualification.