Both Real Madrid and Malaga enjoyed nights without pressure in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Real Madrid needed a win in order to have a chance of finishing top of their group, while Ajax were battling for third place and qualification for the Europa League in the New Year.

Despite there being something at stake, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho played a side packed with substitutes, although Cristiano Ronaldo was in the side and opened the scoring after just 13 minutes after good work from Luka Modric.

Ajax were looking weak in defense and Real Madrid doubled their lead after 28 minutes through Jose Callejon with Modric giving the final pass.

The second half saw Kaka add a third goal from the edge of the area as both sides seemed to realize their future was no longer in their hands.

Derk Boerrichter pulled a goal back for Ajax on the hour, but Karim Benzema rounded off the scoring on the night to give Real Madrid a 4-1 win.

Despite the defeat for Ajax, Manchester City's 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund means they assured third place and a spot in the Europa League, while Dortmund's win condemned Real Madrid to finishing second in their group.

Malaga, who were already assured of finishing first in their group, drew 2-2 against Belgian side Anderlecht.

Duda scored a fine goal with a left foot shot from the edge of the Anderlecht penalty area on the stroke of halftime but former Liverpool forward, Milan Jovanovic made it 1-1 after 50 minutes, before Duda added a second goal after a fine diagonal pass from Diego Buonanotte 10 minutes later.

Dieumerci Mbokami scored a last minute equalizer for Anderlecht, but the goal was not enough to earn his side third place in the group and they go out of Europe, while the bad news for Malaga was another muscle injury suffered by Jeremy Toulalan.