Malaga have thumped Rayo Vallecano 5-0 at La Rosaleda to record their first win of the new La Liga season.
Bernd Schuster's men, who had taken just one point from their opening three matches, ran riot against a woeful Franjirrojos outfit, thanks largely to a hat-trick from Mounir El Hamdaoui.
It took Los Boquerones just over 30 minutes to break the deadlock in front of their home fans after what had been a fairly even opening exchange with chances for both teams.
Rayo goalkeeper Ruben completely misjudged Vitorino Antunes's deep cross from the left, which allowed El Hamdaoui to slam home the first of his three goals at the back post.
Francisco Portillo doubled the lead nine minutes later, tapping into an empty net after being played in by the Moroccan international.
A superb right-footed effort from Portuguese midfielder Eliseu left Ruben clutching at thin air five minutes after the break, before El Hamdaoui completed his hat-trick with two goals in five minutes.
It was a commanding performance from Malaga, who now sit mid-table with four points.
Michael Penkman
