Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit with a two-match ban following his red card against Malaga on Saturday.

Ronaldo was shown a straight red in the 70th minute of the Primera Division encounter at the Bernabeu after his swinging elbow caught Patrick Mtiliga in the face, leaving the Denmark defender with a broken nose.

Madrid have decided to appeal the decision and the hearing has been set for Thursday.

If the Spanish giants are unsuccessful Ronaldo, who also scored both goals in the 2-0 victory, will miss the home clash with Espanyol as well as Saturday's testing trip to fifth-placed Deportivo La Coruna.