( CNN ) -- Goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo scored two first half goals in quick succession to power Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Malaga in the Bernabeu , but also earned his second red card of the season . Ronaldo 's strikes all but sealed victory for Real by halftime , but he blotted his copybook with a flying elbow earning him his marching orders in the 70th minute , his second dismissal this season . But it was a much-needed win for Real , who cut the gap at the top on Barcelona , who won 3-0 at Valladolid on Saturday , to five points . Malaga had the better of the early exchanges and might have taken a shock lead before a fine team move led to Kaka feeding his fellow superstar Ronaldo from the right . He duly converted with a first time shot for a 35th minute opener and three minutes later he was on the scoresheet again , connecting on the volley with Guti 's clever pass forward to score his second . Just before halftime Ronaldo might have completed his hat-trick as a trademark free kick was parried away but he has scored 15 goals in 16 games for Real this season . In other matches on Sunday , Tenerife held third-placed Valencia to a 0-0 draw while Real Mallorca went fourth on goal difference ahead of Deportivo La Coruna after claiming a 1-1 draw at Espanyol . Valencia showed little of the form which saw them dispatch Villarreal 4-1 last week and aside from a deflected David Silva shot which went close and a David Navarro header offered scant threat in attack . Pablo Osvaldo gave Espanyol the lead just after halftime with Bonja Valero equalizing from the spot in the 80th minute .
Real Madrid beat Malaga 2-0 in the Bernabeu to cut Barcelona 's lead to five points . Cristiano Ronaldo scores both goals but is sent off in the second half . TL;DR