Real Madrid 4-0 Malaga: Bellingham 19, Herrero 26 o.g., Mbappe 30, Guler 90+1
Jude Bellingham was again at the centre of the action as Real Madrid made it three wins from three under Jose Mourinho, sweeping aside promoted Malaga 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bellingham opened the scoring with a superb solo effort before playing a part in Madrid’s second, with the ball eventually going in off Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero. Kylian Mbappe added a third before half-time and Arda Guler completed the rout in added time.
The victory keeps Madrid at the top of La Liga with a perfect nine points from nine, maintaining the momentum generated since Mourinho returned to the club this summer for a second spell.
Malaga had no answer to Madrid’s early intensity and fell behind in the 19th minute. Bellingham pounced on a loose ball more than 30 yards from goal, drove into the penalty area and escaped three challenges before squeezing a low finish through Herrero from a narrow angle.
The England midfielder came close to another shortly afterwards when his effort struck the woodwork, but he was involved again as Madrid doubled their advantage in the 26th minute.
Herrero saved Mbappe’s first attempt but could not prevent Bellingham from heading the rebound towards goal. Carlos Puga tried to intervene, only for his attempted clearance to ricochet off Herrero and into the net.
Madrid were in complete control and had a third four minutes later. Trent Alexander-Arnold put in a cross from the right and Mbappe met it with a volley that flew into the bottom corner.
The France forward scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad and continued his prolific start with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Malaga briefly threatened before the interval when Rafa Rodríguez got on the end of Joaquín Muñoz’s corner, but his close-range attempt clipped the post.
Mbappe went close again early in the second half, while Bellingham struck the left post after cutting inside and creating room for a shot. Herrero then kept the score respectable with saves from Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham.
There was late controversy when Malaga were awarded a penalty after a handball by Madrid substitute Yan Diomande. Referee Juan Martínez overturned the decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor.
Guler ensured there was still time for one final Madrid highlight. The substitute carried the ball forward from inside his own half before combining with Vinicius, who returned the pass for Guler to finish from close range in the first minute of stoppage time.
