French playmaker Zinedine Zidane's goal in the second period cancelled out Ricardo Bovio's opener in the first-half before Ramos sealed the victory one minute from time.

The result put Real Madrid in third place of La Liga table with 63 points, while Malaga are close to relegate as they sit in the bottom on just 24 points.

Bovio stunned the home crowd in the 22nd minute when Real defender Alvaro Mejia failed to clear Antonio Lopez's cross inside the area only to fall into the path of Bovio who slotted home.

Zidane, who may retire from professional football after the World Cup finals, leveled the score in the 66th minute from the penalty spot after Raul was brought down inside the area.

Spaniard Ramos salvaged a precious win for the hosts one minute before the final whistle when he met Cicinho's inch-perfect cross with a diving header into the back of the net.

Earlier on Sunday, Spanish international striker David Villa scored a hattrick within five minutes to help Valencia thrash Athletic Bilbao 3-0.

In other matches, Espanyol beat Real Betis 2-0; Osasuna edged Real Mallorca 1-0, Getafe defeated Racing Santander 3-1 and Deportivo La Coruna were held to a 1-1 draw with Cadiz.