Funes named a starting-11 of Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Recio, Einar, Rafita; Izan Merino, Rafa Rodríguez; David Larrubia, Chupe and Joaquín.
The Blue and Whites, wearing their third kit today, started out looking to impose their rhythm on the game. Just past the quarter-hour mark, Joaquín cut in from the left and fired a shot that went just wide of Courtois’ left-hand post.
The next spell proved decisive, with the home side scoring three goals in the space of 11 minutes.
Bellingham opened the scoring after a run in which he made contact with Recio’s face at the start of the move. The goal was awarded following a VAR review of the incident (1-0, 19’).
Just minutes later, Alfonso Herrero turned the ball into his own net after Bellingham’s header took a deflection off Carlos Puga before reaching the Málaga goalkeeper (2-0, 26’).
Just past the half-hour mark, the home side added a third, with Mbappé finishing off a cross from Trent on the right (3-0, 30’).
Málaga looked to regain control of the game and showed signs of improvement with three shots in the final five minutes before half-time. First, Rafa Rodríguez’s effort struck the outside of the post. Chupe then fired wide from the edge of the box after receiving the ball from David Larrubia, before the number 14 tried his luck again with another effort that missed the target.
Before the restart, Martínez came on for Rafa Rodríguez, making his Málaga CF debut.
In minute 60, Salinas and Cruz came on for Carlos Puga and Joaquín. Moments after coming on, the ‘19’ unleashed a powerful right-footed effort that went narrowly over the bar. David Larrubia also got a shot away in the 72nd minute as Málaga enjoyed a strong second half.
Two minutes later, Funes made an attacking change, bringing on Haitam for Einar. A free kick from the ‘7’ led to a penalty being awarded by referee Juan Martínez, but the VAR overturned the decision after a review.
Málaga’s final change saw Ramón come on for Izan Merino in minute 87. In added time, Real Madrid added a fourth through Arda Güler (4-0, 91’).
The match at the Bernabéu ended with Málaga trailing by four goals. Next up is Levante UD on Sunday at 18:30 at La Rosaleda.
