**Real Madrid Cruise Past Malaga 4-0 to Maintain Perfect Start Under Mourinho**
Real Madrid continued their strong start to the La Liga season with an emphatic 4-0 victory over promoted side Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on August 30, 2026. The win marks the third consecutive triumph for the team, bringing their points tally to nine from three matches, and keeping them two points clear of rivals Atletico Madrid and Alaves.
The match began with an early chance for Real Madrid, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, starting in place of Denzel Dumfries, nearly found the back of the net within the first minute. His curling effort, however, went just wide of the far post. Malaga responded shortly after, with Joaquin Munoz testing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the target.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute by Jude Bellingham, who showcased his skill with a brilliant solo effort. Collecting a loose ball near the edge of the area, Bellingham maneuvered past three defenders before firing a low shot that slipped beneath Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.
Real Madrid doubled their lead just seven minutes later. After Kylian Mbappe's initial shot was parried by Herrero, Bellingham headed the rebound towards goal. In a chaotic moment, Herrero collided with a teammate while attempting to clear the ball, resulting in an own goal that put Real Madrid firmly in control.
The home side extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 30th minute when Mbappe connected with a precise cross from Alexander-Arnold. The French forward executed a fine volley from the center of the box, leaving Herrero with no chance.
Following the halftime break, Real Madrid appeared to ease off the pressure, though Bellingham came close to adding a fourth goal in the 55th minute, hitting the post from inside the area. The second half saw a more subdued performance from both teams, with Real Madrid maintaining their comfortable lead.
Substitute Arda Guler, who came on later in the match, capped off the scoring in added time. He initiated a slick move by feeding Vinicius Junior before finishing off the play with a tap-in from the Brazilian’s return pass, sealing a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
This match marked a significant moment for manager Jose Mourinho, who made five changes to the starting lineup after naming the same side for the first two matches of the season. Notably, Marc Cucurella received his first start for the club, contributing to the team's dynamic performance.
Real Madrid will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next La Liga fixture against Real Betis on Friday. Following that, they will kick off their Champions League campaign at home against Inter Milan, aiming to continue their winning streak in both domestic and European competitions.