Malaga 0 - 1 Real Madrid (Spanish Cup Last 16 2nd Leg)

Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey by defeating Malaga 1-0 at La Rosaleda. Mourinho's men were clearly superior to Pellegrini's, who barely had any chances on goal. The Whites will face either Osasuna or Barcelona in the next round.

Benzema was again the man of the match

Arbeloa and Pepe made the starting eleven in defence. Real Madrid were slightly more relaxed thanks to the one goal advantage on aggregate they had thanks to the 3-2 win in the first leg at the Bernabeu. It was up to Malaga to take risks, but they didn't try too hard for goals and the Whites ended up keeping possession of the ball. Sergio Ramos had the best chance to score from a header that missed the mark by inches (44'). Khedira had to leave the pitch one minute before that due to injury and was replaced by Ozil.

Marcelo came on for Kaka in the second half and Madrid continued to keep possession of the ball. They started to have chances on goal and a Ronaldo header in the 62nd minute was masterfully cleared by Caballero.

Benzema came on for Higuain in the 68th minute and it took him only three minutes to score the winner by nutmegging the keeper after receiving and Ozil assist. Malaga received a harsh blow and tried to make a comeback, but Real handled their lead very well and even came close from netting a second strike through a Ramos heel shot that was cleared by the keeper (80'). Arbeloa was sent off on the 87-minute mark and Toulalan had a chance to score the equaliser three minutes later.

Looking to keep their five-point lead, Real Madrid are now focusing on their next league clash against Mallorca, who scored six goals tonight against Real Sociedad.

Summary

Stadium: La Rosaleda
Attendance: 27,000
Goals: 0-1, M. 71: Benzema

Real Madrid 5 - 1 Granada (Spanish League Day 18)

Real Madrid showered Granada with goals in their first league clash of 2012. Benzema scored two goals, proving he is the best centre forward in Europe right now, but had to leave the pitch due to an injury. The Whites remain leaders in the championship for another week.

Benzema scored two goals against Granada

Higuain and Benzema made the starting lineup and Real Madrid looked to resolve the match quickly. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the target following a pass into the box by Benzema early in the game (6') and two minutes later both players repeated the effort in exchanged roles. Granada weren't able to keep possession long and the locals eventually scored the opener from an impressive effort in which Cristiano passed the ball into the box, where it was picked up by Ozil, who then assisted Benzema with a subtle heel pass (18').

Granada started to try harder for a goal and netted an equaliser through Mikel Rico, who was assisted by Uche with a cross (21'). The visitors looked for more and Casillas was forced to make a solid save from a Rico shot. This made Real Madrid react and Ramos soon headed in a corner-kick served by Ozil (33').

The start of the second half was an offensive showcase on the locals' part. Higuian scored a third for the team from a crossed shot following an assist by Marcelo, while Benzema scored again four minutes later after brilliantly controlling a long pass from Ozil. Unfortunately, the French striker asked to be taken off one minute later and Callejon had to come on for him.

Kaka came on for Ozil on the 66-minute mark and Granada, having nothing left to lose, decided to try for another goal to no avail. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored in the 51st minute from a header that was slightly off target and Callejon also had a chance that was cleared by Roberto.

Altintop replaced Higuain (81') and Ronaldo again came close to scoring, missing the mark by inches from a spectacular distance shot. The Portuguese striker eventually found a reward for his efforts after picking up a Kaka shot that was deflected by a defender.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 78,000
Goals: 1-0, m.18: Benzema. 1-1, m.21: Mikel Rico. 2-1, m.33: Sergio Ramos. 3-1, m.46: Higuaín; 4-1, m.51: Benzema; 5-1, m.90: Cristiano Ronaldo.