Real Madrid sweep aside Malaga to preserve perfect league record

Real Madrid continued their flawless start to the La Liga season with a commanding 4-0 victory over promoted Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho's side effectively settled the contest before half-time, scoring three times inside the opening 30 minutes before substitute Arda Guler added a fourth in stoppage time.

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 19th minute, producing a powerful solo run through the heart of the Malaga defence before slotting a low finish beyond goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.

Real doubled their advantage seven minutes later in fortuitous circumstances. Herrero managed to repel a Kylian Mbappe effort, but Bellingham headed the rebound back towards goal. The goalkeeper and a Malaga defender collided as they attempted to prevent the ball crossing the line, with the final touch credited as an own goal.

Mbappe then put the result beyond doubt in the 30th minute, producing a superb volley from the centre of the penalty area after meeting a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Real had made a fast start to the match, with Alexander-Arnold coming close inside the opening minute when he curled an effort narrowly beyond the far post.

Malaga briefly threatened to respond when Joaquin Munoz fired a shot from the edge of the area just wide of Thibaut Courtois' goal in the 15th minute. However, the visitors struggled to contain Real once Bellingham broke the deadlock.

Mourinho made five changes to the side that had begun victories over Espanyol and Real Sociedad, with Marc Cucurella making his first league start for the club. Alexander-Arnold also started ahead of Denzel Dumfries.

Real eased the tempo after the interval but remained dangerous. Bellingham came close to adding another goal in the 55th minute when his effort from inside the box struck the post.

Malaga survived further pressure as the match entered its closing stages, but Guler put the finishing touch to a comprehensive victory in added time.

The substitute helped launch the move before exchanging passes with Vinicius Junior and calmly converting the Brazilian's return ball.

The result gives Real Madrid nine points from their opening three league matches, leaving them two points clear of Atletico Madrid and Alaves. Barcelona sit fourth on six points with a match in hand and are due to host Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

Real will next travel to Seville on Friday to face Real Betis before beginning their Champions League campaign at home against Inter Milan a few days later.