Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé were on target as Real Madrid beat Malaga 4-0 in La Liga on Sunday to maintain their perfect start under Jose Mourinho.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a magnificent individual effort, collecting the ball 35 meters from goal before dribbling past three Málaga players and firing past goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.
The English midfielder, who scored seven goals in the summer World Cup in which the Three Lions finished third, has scored two goals this season.
Bellingham intervened again seven minutes later as Real doubled their lead.
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Herrero saved a shot, but Bellingham headed the rebound toward goal before the ball bounced off the goalkeeper and crossed the line. The goal was credited as an own goal by Herrero.
Real Madrid extended their lead to 3-0 after just 30 minutes, assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The English full-back, who was left out of the Three Lions’ squad for the World Cup, launched a cross from the right that Mbappé volleyed magnificently into the net.
Real completed the scoring in injury time when Vinicius Jr pulled the ball back from the byline after a quick counterattack, allowing Arda Guler to finish from close range.
After the match, Mourinho described Bellingham as an “incredible player” and praised his influence on the team.
“He is very demanding of himself and also of others. I didn’t want to see him defend almost like a second left back,” Mourinho said.
The Portuguese coach also praised the attacking relationship between Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Mbappé, saying the trio have the quality and understanding to play together.
“Very, very good players always want to play together, because they have the same speed of thinking, the same quality and they always have to be compatible,” Mourinho said.
“It was said that I didn’t want all three, but what I say is that I always want the best. There is empathy and collective work. They are all very good.”
Mourinho returned as Real Madrid head coach in the summer after managing the Spanish giants from 2010 to 2013. During his first spell, he won the Copa del Rey in 2010-11 and La Liga the following season.
The victory leaves Real Madrid top of La Liga with nine points and Barcelona can join them with the same points on Monday if they beat Rayo Vallecano at home.
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