Real Madrid's perfect start rolls on with Malaga demolition
Malaga had little answer to Real Madrid's attacking intent on Sunday as Jose Mourinho's side stormed to a 4-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, goals from Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, an Alfonso Herrero own goal and Arda Guler's stoppage-time finish keeping the hosts' perfect LaLiga record intact after three matches.
Bellingham was the standout performer, opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb solo run through the middle, collecting a loose ball near the edge of the area, gliding past three defenders and firing low beneath Herrero.
Real doubled their lead seven minutes later through misfortune for the Malaga goalkeeper. Herrero could only palm out Mbappe's effort, Bellingham headed the rebound back towards goal, and as Herrero and a team-mate collided while attempting to clear, the ball ended up in the net.
Mbappe then made it 3-0 in the 30th minute, meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross with a clean volley from the centre of the box, his fourth goal of the campaign and enough to place him top of Spain's scoring charts.
Mourinho had made five changes from the side that started the opening two matches, handing Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella their first starts of the season.
The full-back had almost opened the scoring inside the opening minute, curling an effort just wide of the far post.
Malaga offered brief resistance before the interval, with Rafa Rodriguez striking the post from a corner and Chupe hitting the side netting, but the contest was already effectively settled.
The second half drifted until Guler, shortly after coming on as a substitute, started and finished a slick passing move, feeding Vinicius Junior before tapping home the Brazilian's return pass to complete the rout.
Real Madrid sit nine points from three matches, two clear of Atletico Madrid and Alaves at the top of the LaLiga table.
Barcelona, fourth on six points with a game in hand, host Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Real return to action on Friday with a trip to Seville to face Real Betis before opening their Champions League campaign at home against Inter Milan.