Arda Güler scores, Real Madrid wins comfortably

Real Madrid secured a comfortable victory against Malaga, whom they hosted at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga. The capital side effectively decided the match early with goals found in the first half, leaving the pitch with a 4-0 scoreline and taking the top spot in the league.

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute. The English player sent the ball into the net after an effective run that pierced the Malaga defense. Although the visiting players protested for a foul at the start of the play, the referee did not change the goal decision.

Real Madrid maintained their pressure and doubled the lead in the 26th minute. Following a powerful header from Bellingham, the Malaga defense attempted to clear the ball; the ball struck the back of goalkeeper Alfonso Herrera and ended up in the net. In the 30th minute, Kylian Mbappe capitalized on a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to bring the score to 3-0.

Head coach Jose Mourinho made five changes to the starting 11 compared to the Real Sociedad match. Giving starting roles to Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Cucurella, Brahim Diaz, and Eduardo Camavinga, Mourinho kept names such as Bernardo Silva, Konate, and Dumfries on the bench.

Having secured the score in the first half, Real Madrid lowered their tempo in the second period. Mourinho brought on Diomande for Brahim Diaz in the 65th minute; in the 75th minute, Bernardo Silva entered the pitch in place of Valverde.

A penalty awarded to Malaga in the 85th minute was canceled following a VAR review. The referee decided that the ball, which deflected off Rüdiger's head, hit Diomande's arm unintentionally.

Arda Güler, who entered the game in the 87th minute replacing Jude Bellingham, scored the final goal of the match during stoppage time. Vinicius Junior, moving with a pass from the Turkish footballer, bypassed his defender and passed the ball back to Güler; Arda sent the ball into the net in the 90+1st minute.

With this result, Real Madrid increased their points to 9, moving ahead of Atletico Madrid, who have 7 points. Malaga remained on 1 point and finished the week in 18th place.