Málaga 0 - Real Madrid 2

Málaga: Calatayud; Gerardo, Juanito, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Manu, Miguel Angel, Romero (Duda 66'), Leko; Amoroso (Edgar 66', Geijo 72'), Wanchope. 4-4-2.
Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Pavón, Roberto Carlos; Guti, Celades; Figo (Solari 80'), Raúl (Morientes 82'), Zidane; Ronaldo (Owen 71'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Fernando Sanz, Leko for Litos, Duda / Madrid: Pavón, Celades, Figo for Raúl Bravo, Solari.

Goals:
0-1. 22. Figo (penalty). After Zidane forced over by Gerardo on edge of area.
0-2. 70. Owen. Controlled Salgado pass and turned Sanz to shoot past keeper.

Real Madrid moved up into second place with a 0-2 victory over Málaga on Sunday evening, their third win in a row in the league. García Remón left Michael Owen on the bench to put out a more balanced side, with Celades playing alongside Guti in midfield. And although they didn't set the world alight, they did enough to take the three points against an ineffective opponent who hardly troubled Casillas all night.

Figo opened the scoring midway through the first half with a hotly disputed penalty after Zidane was brought down by Gerardo on the edge of the area, referee Iturralde González ruling that the foul had taken place inside the box even though television pictures afterwards confirmed that it was outside. And Ronaldo should have made it two a few minutes later when free in front of goal but his shot went wide of the post.

Only Wanchope had caused any problems for the visiting defence, although he was unable to find the target, and Raúl could have made it two when his lon shot went over the bar with Calatayud off his line. Ronaldo missed another header following a free kick, and García Remón decided to bring on Owen, an inspired decision as it turned out as the England striker picked up a pass after a long charge by Salgado to turn Fernando Sanz and score his fifth goal in six games. The result leaves the "Galacticos" seven points behind Barcelona, who they meet in two weeks time.