Real Madrid Cruise Past Málaga 4-0 as Jude Bellingham Stars in Mourinho’s Winning Return

Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the LaLiga season in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu as Jude Bellingham produced another outstanding performance.

Bellingham opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort before playing a role in Madrid’s second goal. Kylian Mbappé continued his blistering form with another goal, while substitute Arda Güler added a fourth in stoppage time to complete Real Madrid’s third consecutive victory since José Mourinho returned as head coach.

Mourinho, who was reappointed during the summer after previously managing Madrid from 2010 to 2013, has overseen a 100% start to his second spell in charge.

The Portuguese coach made five changes to the side that defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 on Thursday, including the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to the starting lineup.

Madrid immediately took control, and Bellingham provided the moment of individual brilliance that broke the deadlock in the 19th minute.

The England midfielder collected a loose ball more than 30 yards from goal and embarked on a powerful run toward the Málaga penalty area. Bellingham evaded three attempted tackles before entering the box and calmly squeezed his finish between goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero’s legs from a difficult angle.

Five minutes later, Madrid doubled their advantage through a goal that again involved Bellingham.

Herrero initially made an excellent save to deny Mbappé, but the rebound looped into the air. Bellingham headed the ball back toward goal, and Carlos Puga attempted to clear it. Instead, the ball struck Herrero and rebounded into the Málaga net for an own goal.

Madrid were three goals ahead before the half-hour mark.

Alexander-Arnold delivered a driven cross into the penalty area, and Mbappé met it with a superb first-time volley. The French forward’s clinical effort flew into the bottom-left corner, giving Herrero no chance and making it four goals in two matches following his hat trick against Real Sociedad.

Málaga had an opportunity to reduce the deficit shortly before halftime. Two minutes before the interval, Rafa Rodríguez found space close to goal following a corner from Joaquín Muñoz, but his effort clipped the post and bounced away.

Madrid continued to threaten after the break.

Mbappé tested Herrero early in the second half, while Bellingham came close to adding another when he created space inside the penalty area and struck the left post.

Herrero was increasingly busy as Málaga struggled to contain Madrid’s attacking players. The goalkeeper made further saves to deny Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham, keeping the scoreline from becoming even more lopsided.

Málaga thought they had been handed a lifeline with five minutes remaining when a handball decision was awarded against Madrid substitute Yan Diomande. However, referee Juan Martínez reviewed the incident on the pitch after a VAR intervention and overturned the penalty decision.

The visitors’ frustration was compounded in the first minute of stoppage time.

Güler launched a run from inside his own half before combining with Vinícius Júnior. The Turkish midfielder continued his run into the penalty area, received the return pass and calmly tapped the ball home from inside the six-yard box to seal the 4-0 victory.

The result extends Madrid’s perfect beginning under Mourinho and provides another early indication that the club’s decision to bring the experienced manager back to the Bernabéu could pay significant dividends.

Bellingham was the standout performer, combining his goal-scoring ability, physical strength and creativity throughout the match. Mbappé also continued his exceptional scoring form, while Alexander-Arnold made an immediate impact after returning to the starting lineup.

With three victories from three matches, Real Madrid have made a statement of intent at the beginning of the new LaLiga campaign. Mourinho’s second chapter in Madrid could hardly have started better.