By Sachit Subba • Football • Aug 30, 2026 17:36 PM • 36 views
The idea that a rotated Real Madrid team would show any lack of enthusiasm was swiftly refuted. On Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid beat the newly promoted Malaga 4 to 0, thus keeping their perfect start to the LaLiga season. A string of goals during the first 11 minutes of the match settled it, most of the goals being scored by Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
Having started with the same side in wins against Espanyol and Real Sociedad, manager Jose Mourinho changed his method and made five alterations to the team. Marc Cucurella played his first game for the club. Trent Alexander-Arnold substituted for Denzel Dumfries at right back and almost proved that he had been chosen within sixty seconds. The England international hit a bold shot with the outside of his boot, just missing the far post.
When Malaga arrived at the Bernabeu, they aimed to annoy the league leaders. For fifteen minutes, the promoted side defended well, and Joaquin Munoz nearly caused the home fans some concern by driving a powerful shot with his right foot that just missed the upper corner of Thibaut Courtois.
The defence then broke down, and Bellingham scored in the 19th minute by gathering a loose ball just outside the penalty area, moving past three defenders, and then striking a low shot which went under goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.
Seven minutes later, Madrid extended their lead. Herrero blocked a strong shot by Mbappe, and Bellingham then put the ball back into the danger area where Herrero came into contact with a fellow player. The defensive mistake caused the ball to go over the line and result in a terrible own goal.
Mbappe scored the goal at the very moment when the 30th minute arrived. Receiving Alexander-Arnold's well-placed cross, he struck a sharp volley from the centre of the box and put the ball into the net.
After the break the intensity decreased since Madrid took control of the ball and kept their physical effort under check. In the 55th minute Bellingham came close to scoring his second goal, but his shot struck the post while he was inside the area. The game then developed in a calm manner until just before the end, when the substitute Arda Guler secured the win. The young midfielder began a fast series of passes, passed the ball to Vinicius Jr., and then scored by tapping in the return pass from the Brazilian.
The result sees Madrid reach nine points after three games and thus establishes a two-point lead over both Atletico Madrid and Alaves at the top of the table. Although Barcelona are in fourth place with six points, they have the possibility of reducing the gap when they play host to Rayo Vallecano on Monday. Madrid's next match is on Friday when they travel to Sevilla to play Real Betis, before beginning their Champions League campaign at home against Inter Milan early next week.
