Real Madrid Beat Malaga 4-0 to Stay Top of La Liga

Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid beat newly promoted Malaga CF 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to keep a perfect start to the Spanish La Liga season, according to reports from BBC Sport and CNA.

Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. BBC Sport reported that he collected the ball 35 yards out, dribbled past three players and shot past Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.

Seven minutes later Real doubled the lead. Herrero could only palm out a Kylian Mbappe effort, Bellingham headed the rebound goalwards, and the ball went in off the goalkeeper. It was recorded as a Herrero own goal.

Mbappe made it 3-0 in the 30th minute, volleying in a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Substitute Arda Guler completed the scoring in stoppage time, playing a one-two with Vinicius Jr before tapping in from close range.

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The Table After Three Matches

The win lifted Real Madrid to nine points from three matches. BBC Sport reported that Real sit top of the table.

CNA reported that Real are two points clear of Atletico Madrid and Alaves, and that Barcelona are fourth on six points with a game in hand. Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano on Monday, a match BBC Sport noted would take them level with Real on nine points if they win.

Malaga's position in the table is not given in the sources. The club won promotion from the Segunda Division, Spain's second tier, and according to The Real Champs were playing at the Bernabeu for the first time since 2017.

Mourinho's Return and What Comes Next

The result was a third straight win for Jose Mourinho, who returned as Real Madrid head coach in the summer. He was previously in charge from 2010 to 2013, winning the Copa del Rey in 2010-11 and La Liga the following season.

Mourinho called Bellingham an "incredible player" and said: "He is very demanding of himself and he is also demanding of others. I didn't want to see him defend almost like a second left-back."

CNA reported that Mourinho made five changes from the side that started the first two league games, with Marc Cucurella given his first start for the club and Alexander-Arnold picked ahead of Denzel Dumfries. Real Madrid next travel to Seville to face Real Betis on Friday, before opening their Champions League campaign at home to Inter Milan.