MADRID: Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe both struck as Real Madrid’s perfect start to La Liga under Jose Mourinho continued in a 4-0 cruise against Malaga on Sunday.
Los Blancos scored three times in just over 10 minutes in the first half to open up a comfortable lead over the Andalusian visitors to Santiago Bernabeu.
Sandwiched between Bellingham and Mbappe’s strikes was an own goal by Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero, while Arda Guler tapped in a fourth late on.
“I’ve got the freedom to go higher or lower if we need, I’m enjoying myself a lot,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV of his attacking midfield role under Mourinho.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund star was given a standing ovation from the fans when he was substituted in the second half.
“It’s an honour to play for this club and in front of these fans and the ovation was very nice,” added Bellingham.
After two victories in their opening two games and with superstar trio Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius Junior starting the season well, Real’s confidence was high.
Mourinho rotated, making five changes to the team that started their opening match, giving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella, among others, their first starts this season.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb burst 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 after Herrero could only palm out Mbappe’s effort. Bellingham headed the rebound back towards goal and, as Herrero and a team-mate collided while trying to clear, the ball ended up in the net.
Mbappe then made it 3-0 in the 30th minute, meeting Alexander-Arnold’s cross with a fine volley from the centre of the box.
Real eased off after halftime but Bellingham almost scored again in the 55th minute, striking the post from inside the area.
The second half drifted until Guler, shortly after coming on, started and finished a slick move, feeding Vinicius before tapping in the Brazilian’s return pass to complete the rout.
“The second half was more about managing the game, at a lower tempo,” Mourinho told Real Madrid TV.
“Malaga were calmer on the ball, but every time we stepped up the pace, it always felt like we could score one or two more. One of our objectives was to keep a clean sheet.”
Real managed to do that for the first time this season and Mourinho said it was important for Los Blancos.
“Football isn’t just about having fun with the beauty of the goals — it’s also about going home thinking that we’re a solid unit,” added the Portuguese veteran.
Elsewhere, Deportivo La Coruna secured their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Valencia.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his third goal of the campaign for the Galician side, who also benefitted from own goals by Cesar Tarrega and Mouctar Diakhaby.
Edin Terzic’s Athletic Bilbao also claimed their first win, 2-0 at Celta Vigo, with goals from Alex Berenguer and Robert Navarro.
