The Portuguese winger, who has made his comeback late in November after a one-month layoff, notched Real's fourth goal on 84 minutes to wrap up Los Merengues' victory.

While celebrating his goal, Ronaldo, who was out of action with an ankle problem, took off his shirt to get his first yellow card.

Four minutes later, the former Manchester United superstar received his marching orders for deliberately kicking Juan Ortiz in the calf, after the latter underhandedly punched him in a challenge.

Earlier on 82 minutes, Ronaldo failed to convert a spot kick, but Karim Benzema notched the third on the rebound.

Real's Sergio Ramos broke the deadlock after 31 minutes.

In the action-packed second half, Almeria overturned their one-goal deficit when Fernando Soriano and Kalu Uche scored on 58 and 62 minutes respectively.

Gonzalo Higuain hit an equalizer 17 minutes from time, before Benzema and Ronaldo scored one apiece.