Real Madrid thrash Malaga 4-0 to top La Liga with perfect start

Real Madrid moved to the top of the 2026-27 La Liga table with a 4-0 victory over Malaga at the Santiago Bernabéu, preserving a perfect record after three matches.

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute after pouncing on a loose ball and driving a low shot past Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero. Madrid doubled the lead soon afterward when a headed clearance struck Herrero and went into his own net.

Kylian Mbappé made it 3-0 in the 30th minute, meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s right-wing cross with a first-time volley. Malaga came close to reducing the deficit before halftime when Rodriguez hit the post from close range, but Madrid led 3-0 at the break.

Madrid continued to control the second half. Bellingham hit the post in the 55th minute, and Herrero saved from Alexander-Arnold two minutes later. Malaga sought opportunities on the counter-attack and appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute after the ball struck Diomande’s hand. VAR reviewed the incident, but the referee ruled that the arm position was natural.

Vinicius Junior set up the final goal with a cut-back from the left, which Arda Güler converted in stoppage time. Madrid’s nine points put the team first, while Malaga had one point and stood 19th after three games.