Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe were on target as Real Madrid defeated Malaga 4-0 in La Liga on Sunday to maintain their perfect start under manager Jose Mourinho.
Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb individual effort, collecting the ball 35 yards from goal before dribbling past three Malaga players and firing beyond goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero.
The England midfielder, who scored seven goals at the summer’s World Cup as the Three Lions finished third, has now scored twice this season.
Bellingham was involved again seven minutes later as Real doubled their lead.
ALSO READ: Fernandes scores hat-trick as Man United beat Ipswich 5-2
Herrero parried a shot, but Bellingham headed the rebound towards goal before the ball bounced off the goalkeeper and crossed the line. The goal was credited as an own goal by Herrero.
Real extended their advantage to 3-0 after just 30 minutes, with Trent Alexander-Arnold providing the assist.
The England full-back, who was left out of the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, delivered a cross from the right that Mbappe superbly volleyed into the net.
Real completed the scoring in stoppage time when Vinicius Jr pulled the ball back from the byline following a quick counter-attack, allowing Arda Guler to tap home 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 he is also demanding of others. I didn’t want to see him defend almost like a second left-back,” Mourinho said.
The Portuguese manager also praised the attacking relationship between Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Mbappe, saying the trio have the quality and understanding to play together.
“Very, very good players want to play together always, because they have the same speed of thought, the same quality and they always have to be compatible,” Mourinho said.
“It was said that I didn’t want the 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 previously 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 on the same points on Monday if they defeat Rayo Vallecano at home.