Cazorla strikes late to halt Real’s winning streak

Santi Cazorla’s stunning stoppage-time free-kick gave Malaga a deserved point to halt Real Madrid’s 11-match winning run in the Primera Division last night.

Iker Casillas and Willy Caballero made smart stops to deny Salomon Rondon and Cristiano Ronaldo within the first five minutes but after Isco had missed another good chance for the visitors it was Real who went in front as Ronaldo’s cross found Benzema free at the back post to head home.

Caballero made another brilliant save to deny Ronaldo doubling Madrid’s advantage early in the second-half, but the hosts struggled to kill the game off and that proved costly as Cazorla curled in a wonderful 25-yard free-kick into Casillas’ top corner in the 91st minute.