Sports
Sole Çalhanoğlu strike secures narrow Inter win over Cagliari
Turkish star Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s early strike helped Inter Milan stay perfect in its Serie A title defense with a 1-0 win at Cagliari Sunday, while Como beat Napoli 2-1 to spoil Massimiliano Allegri’s home debut.
Çalhanoğlu guided home a first-time strike from the edge of the box after nine minutes to make it two goals in two games and set the tone for a first half dominated by the champions in Sardinia.
A combination of wayward finishing and fine goalkeeping from Elia Caprile kept the scoreline close at halftime, and Inter’s profligacy continued after the break as Lautaro Martinez, Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni squandered good chances.
England international Curtis Jones made his debut from the bench in the second half, but Inter’s lack of composure in front of goal almost came back to bite them as Cagliari threatened a shock equalizer with a flurry of late chances.
Cristian Chivu’s side ended the game with 29 shots on the board and only one goal to show for them, but it was enough to send them top of the table after two games, ahead of AC Milan, Juventus and Lazio on goal difference.
“These are your classic games where if you don’t close them out, you can run into trouble,” Chivu told Sky Italia.
“In the last few minutes, we fell apart, getting confused and panicking.
“But we held firm, and we created a lot. If there is one regret, it is not finishing off the many chances we had.”
Gennaro Gattuso’s Lazio also made it two wins from two by beating Genoa 1-0 in Rome thanks to a second match-winning strike in a row from summer signing Davide Frattesi.
Fabregas hopes for striker
Earlier, Como pulled off their latest feat of Serie A giant-killing as a win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona ruined Napoli coach Allegri’s home bow.
Martin Baturina fired Cesc Fabregas’s enterprising side into a deserved lead in the 17th minute as chances fell at both ends in soaring temperatures in Naples.
Rasmus Hojlund’s brilliant strike drew the hosts level on the half-hour mark, but his good work was quickly undone when a defensive mix-up led to Anastasios Douvikas scoring for the second game in a row.
Kevin De Bruyne, who inspired Napoli to an opening win over Genoa with a goal and assist from the bench, was unable to turn the tide after coming on early in the second half.
Como survived late pressure to hold on as Stanislav Lobotka’s stoppage-time strike was ruled out for offside.
“It is a very valuable win … the first half was very good and in the second we understood that we were facing champions, and we held out,” Fabregas told broadcasters DAZN.
Fabregas’s side upset the established order in Italian football last season by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, where they were drawn against the likes of holders Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester United.
But the Spanish coach admitted that he is hoping for more new signings before the transfer window closes on Sept. 1, to help cope with a busy schedule.
“Obviously, I’m expecting a striker,” Fabregas said.
“Douvikas can’t play both the league and the cups. We suffered a lot with (Alvaro) Morata last year, for months he was out injured.
“Playing every three days at this level isn’t easy.”
Como, who were held by Udinese in their opener, moved up to four points, while last season’s runners-up Napoli remained on three points.
The second round of the Serie A season concludes on Monday when Roma travel to Lecce before Atalanta host Bologna.
Galatasaray have opened formal negotiations to sign Turkish international striker Deniz Gül from Portuguese club FC Porto, with the 22-year-old arriving in Istanbul Tuesday as the Turkish champions move closer to adding another young forward to their squad.
Galatasaray Sportif A.Ş. confirmed the development in a statement to Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform, or KAP, Tuesday. The club said official negotiations had begun with Gül and Porto over his transfer.
Gül arrived at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport later Tuesday, landing at the General Aviation Terminal at around 2:15 p.m. local time. He was expected to undergo medical examinations before signing a multiyear contract, widely reported to be for five years.
Galatasaray and Porto have reportedly agreed on a package worth 10 million euros ($11.6 million) in guaranteed payments, with a further 1 million euros available in performance-related bonuses.
Porto are also expected to retain a sell-on clause. Most reports put the figure at 10% of any future profit from Gül’s sale, although some Turkish reports have cited a 15% share.
Gül is reportedly set to earn around 1.5 million euros per season at Galatasaray.
The transfer accelerated after Porto brought in Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez on loan from AC Milan with an option to buy, creating room for Gül to leave the Portuguese club. The Turkey international had reportedly made his preference for a move to Galatasaray clear.
The deal would represent a significant profit for Porto, who signed Gül from Swedish club Hammarby in August 2024 for a reported 4.5 million euros to 5 million euros. His Porto contract was set to run through 2029 and reportedly contained a 50 million euro release clause.
From Stockholm to Porto
Gül was born July 2, 2004, in Stockholm to a Turkish father and Swedish mother. He developed through several Swedish youth systems, including Stuvsta IF, Segeltorps IF, IF Brommapojkarna, AIK and FC Djursholm, before joining Hammarby IF.
He progressed into Hammarby’s senior setup and spent time with Hammarby TFF, the club’s reserve side, in Sweden’s third tier. In 2023, he scored 14 goals in 23 appearances for Hammarby TFF.
Gül also made 21 Allsvenskan appearances for Hammarby’s first team, scoring three goals before earning his move to Porto.
His two seasons in Portugal gave him extensive experience at one of the country’s biggest clubs. He made roughly 70 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and adding two assists.
During the 2025-26 season, Gül appeared in 44 matches and played 1,824 minutes, finishing with seven goals and two assists. He scored five goals in 29 Primeira Liga appearances and also featured in the UEFA Europa League and domestic cup competitions.
His opportunities became more limited at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign, however, with the striker failing to score before his expected move to Istanbul.
At around 1.90 meters to 1.92 meters (6 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet, 4 inches), Gül offers Galatasaray a physically imposing option at center forward. The right-footed striker is known for his strength, aerial ability and willingness to work without the ball.
Choosing Türkiye
Gül represented Sweden at youth level, including appearances for the country’s under-19 and under-21 teams, before choosing to represent Türkiye at senior level.
He committed to Türkiye in November 2024 and has since earned 10 international caps, scoring twice. One of those goals came during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying against Spain, while the other was scored in a friendly.
He was also included in Türkiye’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His international status adds another layer of value for Galatasaray, as Gül qualifies as a Turkish player under the Süper Lig’s squad regulations governing foreign players.
What Gül brings to Galatasaray
Gül’s arrival would give Galatasaray another young, domestic attacking option while increasing competition in a forward line built around established stars.
Reports have frequently positioned him as a potential backup and rotation option behind Victor Osimhen, giving Galatasaray greater depth during a season in which the club will be competing on multiple fronts.
The move also fits Galatasaray’s strategy of combining major-profile signings with younger players who can contribute immediately while offering longer-term value.
For Gül, the transfer represents a return to his family’s homeland and an opportunity to establish himself at one of Türkiye’s biggest clubs after two seasons gaining experience in Portugal.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the transfer had not yet been formally completed. Galatasaray’s KAP disclosure confirmed that negotiations were underway, while Gül’s arrival in Istanbul indicated that the process had advanced to the medical and contract stages.
A further KAP announcement is expected once the medical examinations are completed and the final paperwork is signed.
Lionel Messi has closed the Argentina chapter of a career that transformed the country’s football history, leaving the national team after 21 years as its record scorer, most-capped player and a World Cup champion.
Messi, 39, announced his international retirement Aug. 31, two days after Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the 2026 World Cup final. He finished with 207 appearances and 125 goals for Argentina, both national records.
Messi said his decision had effectively been made after the World Cup final. The death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier in August also reinforced his decision to step away.
“I have nothing left to give,” Messi said in his farewell statement.
His retirement from international football does not end his playing career. Messi remains with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer, where he is under contract through 2028.
For Argentina, however, an era has ended.
A prodigy from Rosario
Messi’s story began in Rosario, Argentina, where his talent was evident from an early age. He joined Newell’s Old Boys before moving to Spain in 2000 and entering Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
Barcelona helped cover treatment for a growth hormone deficiency that had affected his development, and the decision would prove pivotal for both the player and the club.
Messi made his Barcelona first-team debut in 2004 and soon became the centerpiece of one of the most dominant teams in modern football.
His acceleration, close control, vision and left foot made him a unique attacking force. Defenders struggled to contain him, while his ability to score and create chances allowed him to dictate matches from several positions.
Between 2004 and 2021, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer. He also scored a record 474 La Liga goals and won the Pichichi Trophy eight times.
His individual numbers reached extraordinary levels.
Messi scored 73 goals in 60 appearances during the 2011-12 season. In 2012, he scored 91 goals for club and country, setting a calendar-year record that remains one of the most remarkable statistical achievements in football.
A trophy-filled Barcelona era
The goals came with an unprecedented collection of trophies.
Messi won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, eight Spanish Super Cups, four UEFA Champions League titles, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona.
He played a central role in Barcelona’s historic trebles in 2008-09 and 2014-15, helping establish the club as one of Europe’s defining teams.
His individual honors were equally impressive.
Messi won the Ballon d’Or eight times, more than any other player, and collected six European Golden Shoes. His sustained production placed him at the heart of the debate over football’s greatest player for more than a decade.
But while his club career was filled with trophies, Argentina remained an unfinished part of his legacy.
International heartbreak
Messi’s early years with Argentina were marked by repeated disappointment.
Argentina reached the 2014 World Cup final but lost 1-0 to Germany after extra time. Messi won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, but the defeat intensified criticism that he had yet to deliver a major senior international trophy.
The frustration continued with defeats to Chile in the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.
After the 2016 loss, Messi briefly announced his international retirement. He returned weeks later, setting the stage for the most successful period of his Argentina career.
Everything changed in 2021.
Messi captained Argentina to the Copa America title, securing his first major senior international trophy. Argentina then defeated Italy in the 2022 Finalissima before Messi finally reached the summit at the World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina defeated France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final. Messi scored twice, converted his penalty in the shootout and won the Golden Ball for a second time.
The World Cup victory ended the long-running debate over whether Messi could match his extraordinary club success with Argentina.
He added another Copa America title in 2024.
One last World Cup
The 2026 World Cup offered Messi one final chance to lead Argentina on football’s biggest stage.
At 39, he helped Argentina reach the final and scored eight goals during the tournament. Spain ultimately prevailed 1-0 after extra time, denying Messi a second World Cup title but adding another remarkable chapter to his international career.
Messi finished his World Cup career with 34 appearances across six tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
He became the tournament’s record appearance holder and finished with 21 World Cup goals, second on the men’s all-time scoring list behind Kylian Mbappe. He also became one of the few players to start three World Cup finals, appearing in 2014, 2022 and 2026.
His final tournament was particularly striking given his age. Messi remained one of Argentina’s most influential players and finished with eight goals despite being nearly 40.
The numbers behind the legacy
Messi’s international career ends with a collection of records that underline his impact.
207 Argentina appearances, a national record. 125 Argentina goals, a national record and the most by a South American men’s international. 34 World Cup appearances, a tournament record. 21 World Cup goals, second on the men’s all-time list. Six World Cups played. Two World Cup Golden Balls, the first player to win the award twice. One World Cup title, won in 2022. Two Copa America titles, won in 2021 and 2024. One Olympic gold medal, won in 2008. One Finalissima title, won in 2022.
The statistics, however, do not fully explain Messi’s influence.
He was more than a prolific scorer. His career was built on chance creation, passing, dribbling, free kicks and an ability to control the rhythm of matches. Few forwards have been able to combine goalscoring and playmaking at such a high level for such a long period.
Life after Barcelona
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after the club’s financial problems prevented it from extending his contract.
He joined Paris Saint-Germain, spending two seasons in France and winning two Ligue 1 titles and the Trophee des Champions.
The period never reached the heights of his Barcelona years, but Messi remained an elite scorer and creator.
In 2023, he moved to Inter Miami and immediately changed the profile of MLS.
He led the club to the Leagues Cup in 2023, helped it win the Supporters’ Shield in 2024 and was part of the team that captured the MLS Cup in 2025, the first league championship in Inter Miami history.
His arrival brought unprecedented international attention to the club and helped raise MLS’s global profile.
Even in his late 30s, Messi has continued to produce goals and assists at an extraordinary rate.
A career defined by records and reinvention
Messi leaves Argentina with a legacy that extends well beyond his international records.
He is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer, La Liga’s leading scorer and the record holder for goals scored for a single club. He has won more Ballon d’Or awards and European Golden Shoes than any other player.
He also ranks among football’s most prolific assist providers, while his World Cup and Copa America records place him among the most influential players in international tournament history.
Exact career totals can vary depending on which competitions are counted, particularly when unofficial matches and youth football are included. The broader picture is not in doubt: Messi has combined extraordinary scoring, playmaking, longevity and trophy success across more than two decades at the highest level.
His greatest achievement may be the completeness of that career.
He was the slight teenager who left Rosario, the Barcelona prodigy who became the club’s greatest player, the superstar who broke scoring records, the Argentina captain who endured years of international heartbreak and, ultimately, the leader who delivered the World Cup his country had been waiting for.
For years, Messi’s legacy was framed around what he had failed to win with Argentina.
The 2022 World Cup changed that conversation.
By the time he walked away from international football in 2026, there was little left for him to prove.
Türkiye became the first team to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup after extending their perfect European qualifying run with a 110-73 victory over Iceland on the road.
The victory in Reykjavik gave Ergin Ataman’s team an 8-0 record and secured its place at next year’s World Cup with four qualifying games still remaining.
Türkiye dominated from the opening minutes at Laugardalshöll, taking a 33-14 lead after the first quarter and carrying a 60-37 advantage into halftime.
The margin reached 24 points after three quarters, with Türkiye leading 80-56 before pulling further away in the final period.
Cedi Osman and Onuralp Bitim led Türkiye with 17 points apiece, while Kenan Sipahi added 15. Malachi Flynn scored 13, and Şehmus Hazer and Yiğitcan Saybir each contributed 10.
The result capped another commanding window for Türkiye, which defeated Lithuania 94-66 two days earlier. Its most notable victory of the qualifying campaign came in March, when it beat Serbia 94-86 in Istanbul.
Türkiye remain the only undefeated team in the European qualifiers and sit atop Group J.
Complete performance
Ataman said Türkiye approached the game with the necessary seriousness, particularly because Iceland had already recorded three wins in the group and had beaten Italy on the road and Lithuania at home.
Türkiye also had recent history to overcome, having lost in Iceland two years ago.
“We took the game very seriously,” Ataman said. “Our players put on a tremendous defensive performance. On offense, everyone shared the ball very well without egos, playing inside and outside.”
“Maybe this game was even better than the Lithuania game. We got a very clear and convincing victory with very good basketball.”
Ataman also highlighted the contributions of Türkiye’s reserves, pointing to Bitim, Sipahi and Saybir among those who made a major impact.
“We got very serious contributions from all of our players coming off the bench,” Ataman said. “Onuralp made a huge contribution. Kenan did his job very well as always. Yiğitcan did not make us miss Ercan’s absence and fought tremendously on the court.”
TBF praise
Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) President Hidayet Türkoğlu said the team learned it had officially qualified for the World Cup shortly after the game, with the news reaching the locker room after the victory.
“We are 8-0 and undefeated. After a great victory, we also got our World Cup ticket,” Türkoğlu said. “We cannot be proud enough of our players and our coach.”
Türkoğlu said Türkiye’s rise has continued since finishing runner-up at the European championship and praised the team’s unity and consistency.
“These processes are not easy,” he said. “The unity they show when they step onto the court and the fight they put up have once again shown that they deserve to be at the top of European basketball.”
Although qualification is already secured, Türkoğlu said Türkiye will use its remaining games to continue improving and building confidence ahead of the World Cup.
“Even though we have qualified, what matters is playing better basketball, improving ourselves and gaining confidence,” he said. “The November and February games will be very valuable for us, both for our development and our rankings in Europe and around the world.”
Türkoğlu also thanked the Turkish supporters who followed the team at home and abroad.
“We represent the country. Our players wear the crescent-and-star jersey,” he said. “Every victory makes millions of people proud and happy.”
A sixth World Cup appearance
Türkiye will compete at the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Doha, Qatar, marking the country’s sixth appearance at the tournament.
The team will be looking to improve on its best World Cup finish, when it reached the final and claimed the silver medal as host of the 2010 tournament.
The early qualification gives Ataman and his players additional time to prepare for the tournament, while also allowing the team to use its remaining qualifying games to develop further.
Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak congratulated the team after its victory, writing on NSosyal: “We are at the World Cup. Well done, 12 Dev Adam!”
He later quoted FIBA’s social media post and added: “Think of a whole world and Türkiye! We are a little early.”
Türkiye’s perfect qualifying record has made it the first nation to secure a place in the 2027 World Cup alongside host Qatar, with four European qualifying games still to play.
Turkish giants Fenerbahçe produced their most complete performance of the new Süper Lig season Sunday, defeating hosts Samsunspor 2-0 behind early strikes in each half from Kosovar forward Vedat Muriqi and winger Oğuz Aydın.
The comfortable away victory provided Fenerbahçe with their first clean sheet of the domestic campaign and lifted the Istanbul club to six points through three matches, helping them build momentum following an erratic opening fortnight.
The Yellow Canaries wasted no time taking control in front of a partisan host crowd, opening the scoring in the third minute of play. Aydın spearheaded a swift attack down the flank before delivering a precise cross to Muriqi, who finished with composure to put the visiting side ahead 1-0.
The early breakthrough allowed the Istanbul-based team to dictate the tempo of the match and frustrate Samsunspor’s efforts to establish an offensive rhythm before the interval.
Fenerbahçe returned from halftime with equal sharpness, doubling their advantage four minutes into the second half. Aydın turned from provider to goalscorer in the 49th minute, finding space inside the penalty box to slot home his first goal of the new season and put the outcome out of reach.
Referee Yasin Kol, supported by assistant referees Anıl Usta and Bahtiyar Birinci, managed the rest of the physical contest as Fenerbahçe controlled possession and closed out the 2-0 win without facing any serious defensive pressure.
Muriqi keep scoring
Muriqi’s early strike underscored a remarkable run of individual form for the Kosovar international. The veteran forward has now scored in three consecutive official matches for Fenerbahçe across all competitions, having found the net in back-to-back Süper Lig fixtures as well as a recent UEFA Champions League play-off round match. Over those three appearances, Muriqi has recorded three goals and an assist, establishing himself as the primary centerpiece of Fenerbahçe’s frontline.
Aydın was equally influential on the wing, delivering a breakout two-point performance. The 25-year-old set the tone with his third-minute assist to Muriqi before securing the victory with his second-half goal, providing Fenerbahçe with both width and creative sharpness throughout the evening.
Meanwhile, the defensive display marked a significant turnaround for Fenerbahçe, who had struggled to contain opposing attacks during the opening two weeks of the season.
After dropping their campaign opener 2-1 to newly promoted Gençlerbirliği and surrendering two goals in a wild 4-2 win over Konyaspor in Gameweek 2, Fenerbahçe finally held an opponent scoreless Sunday.
The result also extended Fenerbahçe’s long-standing head-to-head dominance over Samsunspor. They are now unbeaten in last nine meetings against the Black Sea club, a streak that includes five wins and four draws.
Across those nine matches, Fenerbahçe have outscored Samsunspor by a 15-5 aggregate scoreline. Samsunspor have not defeated their Istanbul counterpart since 2012, when they claimed a 3-1 home-ground victory.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Fenerbahçe head coach İsmail Kartal commended his players’ performance while addressing questions regarding potential roster moves before the close of the summer transfer window.
Kartal said that while the senior squad is currently at capacity, club executives are actively evaluating opportunities to add young talent under special roster guidelines.
“Transfers can happen at any moment,” Kartal said during his post-match press conference. “Ultimately, if we can do an under-23 transfer, we can make one transfer. Other than that, our squad is already full. Under normal conditions, we cannot transfer a player. However, if we can, we might make an under-23 transfer. Our management and president are working on this.”
With six points secured from their opening three league fixtures, Fenerbahçe now turn their attention to one of the most high-stakes matchups on the Turkish football calendar. They are scheduled to host cross-town rivals Beşiktaş in a blockbuster Week 4 Istanbul derby Saturday, Sept. 5.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time, offering Kartal’s side a major test as they look to remain within touching distance of the top of the Süper Lig standings.
Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in more than two decades Sunday, falling in the first round of the U.S. Open to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone amid injury and illness.
The 39-year-old had arrived at Flushing Meadows with the aim of winning a fifth title and a record 25th major crown overall but crashed out 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to send shockwaves through the final Grand Slam of the year.
Former champion Daniil Medvedev and highest-ranked American Jessica Pegula advanced with little fuss earlier in the day, as players began their campaigns to grab a slice of the record prize purse of $108 million up for grabs.
The last time Djokovic lost in the first round of a Grand Slam was at the Australian Open in 2006 and the Serb did not go down without a fight despite battling shoulder and back problems and vomiting midway through the match.
“I pretty much despised every moment I spent on the court for that,” Djokovic told reporters.
With world number one Jannik Sinner absent and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returning after a lengthy spell out injured, Djokovic looked primed for a run at a record 25th Grand Slam.
But Navone had not read the script and completed the biggest win of his career against his idol at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I was 0-3 down, feeling a bit nervous out of respect for the star I was up against,” the world No. 49 told ESPN.
“It’s tough to play against Novak, he’s an idol. He never looked particularly comfortable with his shots or physically, that’s the truth.
“In the fifth set he was a bit shaken. I had to focus on my game. You don’t get many chances to play an idol on a stage like this … it’s incredible what I’m feeling; it’s all so exciting. It’s mad.”
Medvedev, Pegula through
Russian Medvedev had crashed out in a chaotic first-round defeat a year ago but was all business on Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, downing French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to quieten doubts after a frustrating run-up to the tournament.
“The last couple of weeks were not easy,” said Medvedev, who exited the Cincinnati and Montreal tournaments early. “I’m happy that today I managed to produce high-level tennis.”
Dozens of ticket holders were lined up long before the action kicked off and the home crowd was rewarded as world number three Pegula beat Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2 in the first match at the showpiece stadium.
The 2024 finalist next plays Sofia Kenin, who defeated fellow wild card Venus Williams 6-2, 7-6(6) in a contest that began at 12.13 a.m. on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the latest starting women’s match in U.S. Open history.
Twice Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova earlier became the first seeded player to exit the tournament, saving six match points before succumbing to Kamilla Rakhimova 7-6(4), 6-2 on the outer courts.
Italian Jasmine Paolini survived a scare to beat Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the opener at Louis Armstrong Stadium to set up a meeting with compatriot Lucrezia Stefanini.
Czech Jiri Lehecka kicked off the action on the Grandstand with a 6-1, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-2 win over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta before Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk swatted aside Australian Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1 at the same stadium.
Kostyuk was joined in the next round by compatriot Elina Svitolina, who eased past Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-2.
Former champion Marin Cilic and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud pulled out due to injuries shortly after the tournament got underway.
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid continued their perfect start to the season with Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Güler all entering the scoresheet in a 4-0 drubbing of Malaga Sunday.
Los Blancos scored three times in just over 10 minutes in the first half to open up a comfortable lead over the Andalusian visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Sandwiched between Bellingham and Mbappe’s strikes was an own goal by Malaga goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero, while Güler tapped in a fourth late on.
“I’ve got the freedom to go higher or lower if we need, I’m enjoying myself a lot,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV of his attacking midfield role under Mourinho.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund star was given a standing ovation from the fans when he was substituted in the second half.
“It’s an honor to play for this club and in front of these fans and the ovation was very nice,” added Bellingham.
After two victories in their opening two games and with superstar trio Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius Junior starting the season well, Madrid’s confidence was high.
Mourinho rotated, making five changes to the team that started their opening matches, giving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella among others their first starts this season.
Bellingham opened the scoring after 19 minutes with an excellent solo goal, beating two defenders before drilling through Herrero’s legs.
Bellingham forced the second goal seven minutes later, after Herrero denied Mbappe.
The England international headed the rebound towards goal and defender Carlos Puga desperately tried to clear off the line, with the ball bouncing in off the unfortunate stopper Herrero.
Mbappe rattled home the third with a volley from Alexander-Arnold’s cross for his fourth goal of the campaign, leaving him top of Spain’s scoring charts.
Promoted side Malaga threatened just before half-time, with Rafa Rodriguez striking the post after a corner was played to him, and Chupe hitting the side netting.
Clean sheet banked
Madrid cruised through the second half, with Bellingham hitting the outside of the post as they occasionally threatened to extend their lead.
They only managed to get a fourth late on, when Vinicius teed up substitute Güler to finish from point-blank range.
“The second half was more about managing the game, at a lower tempo,” Mourinho told Real Madrid TV.
“Malaga were calmer on the ball, but every time we stepped up the pace, it always felt like we could score one or two more.
“One of our objectives was to keep a clean sheet.”
Madrid managed to do that for the first time this season and Mourinho said it was important for Los Blancos.
“Football isn’t just about having fun with the beauty of the goals – it’s also about going home thinking that we’re a solid unit,” added the Portuguese veteran.
Deportivo La Coruna secured their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Valencia.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his third goal of the campaign for the Galician side, who also benefitted from own goals by Cesar Tarrega and Mouctar Diakhaby.
Edin Terzic’s Athletic Bilbao also claimed their first win, 2-0 at Celta Vigo, with goals from Alex Berenguer and Robert Navarro.
On Monday, champions Barcelona host Rayo Vallecano in their third match of the campaign, having comfortably won their opening games.
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