Real Madrid underlined their early-season dominance on Sunday with an emphatic 4-0 victory over promoted Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu, producing a devastating first-half display before cruising through the closing stages.
Jude Bellingham was at the heart of the performance, scoring a superb individual goal to set Real Madrid on their way before Kylian Mbappe added another with a composed volley. Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero also contributed to the visitors' downfall when an attempted clearance ended in an own goal.
Substitute Arda Guler completed the scoring in added time, putting the finishing touch to a flowing attacking move and ensuring Real Madrid preserved their perfect record after three LaLiga matches.
The result took Real Madrid to nine points from a possible nine, moving them two points clear of Atletico Madrid and Alaves. Barcelona, who have six points from their opening two matches, have an opportunity to close the gap when they host Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
Real made a fast start and could have taken the lead inside the opening minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold, preferred to Denzel Dumfries, produced a clever attempt with the outside of his right foot, but his angled effort drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
Malaga showed enough ambition to suggest they would not simply surrender to the champions. Joaquin Munoz tested Thibaut Courtois in the 15th minute, sending a right-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area narrowly over the goalkeeper's top corner.
But the visitors' promising resistance lasted only a few more minutes.
In the 19th minute, Bellingham produced the moment that changed the complexion of the match. The England midfielder collected a loose ball near the edge of the area before powering through the centre, gliding beyond three defenders and firing a low finish underneath Herrero.
The goal gave Real Madrid control, and they quickly turned that advantage into a commanding lead.
Seven minutes after the opener, Mbappe's effort was parried by Herrero, but Bellingham reacted quickest to the rebound. His header was sent back towards goal, and in the ensuing scramble Herrero and a teammate collided while attempting to clear. The ball found its way into the net, leaving Malaga facing an uphill battle.
Real Madrid were ruthless and made it three before the half-hour mark.
Alexander-Arnold delivered a dangerous cross into the area in the 30th minute, and Mbappe met it with a precise volley from the centre of the box. The finish gave Herrero little chance and completed a three-goal burst that effectively settled the contest before halftime.
With the outcome largely decided, Real Madrid reduced the intensity after the interval and focused on managing their advantage.
Bellingham came close to adding a second goal of his own in the 55th minute, striking the post from inside the area as Real continued to threaten despite taking their foot off the accelerator.
Malaga survived further pressure as the second half gradually lost some of the intensity that had characterised the opening 45 minutes. Real Madrid, however, remained in complete control and eventually found a fourth goal deep into stoppage time.
Guler, introduced as a substitute, played a key role in the final attack. He initiated a slick passing move by finding Vinicius Jr., then continued his run into the area. When the Brazilian returned the ball, Guler calmly tapped it into the net to complete the 4-0 victory.
The result gives Real Madrid an ideal platform at the start of their domestic campaign, with three wins from three matches and their attacking players already finding their rhythm.
Their attention now turns to a demanding week. Real Madrid travel to Seville on Friday to face Real Betis in LaLiga before beginning their Champions League campaign a few days later, when Inter Milan visit the Santiago Bernabeu.
For Malaga, the defeat provided a sharp reminder of the challenge that awaits them after promotion, particularly against a Real Madrid side that punished every significant lapse and demonstrated why they remain one of the leading forces in Spanish football.