The set-pieces: Real Madrid 4 – 0 Málaga
A statistical look at the dead-ball situations in the game
Real Madrid dominated Malaga 4-0 in a LaLiga EA Sports match on August 30, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. The game featured 39 total dead balls, with Madrid accounting for 24 and Malaga 15. Madrid's set-piece contributions included nine corners, nine goal kicks, and six free kicks, while Malaga had six goal kicks, six corners, and three free kicks.
Madrid led in first contact on 10 of their 15 deliveries, resulting in four set-piece shots worth 0.68 npxG out of a team total of 2.60. Malaga generated four set-piece shots, but their overall value was lower at 0.23 npxG from a total of 0.85. Madrid's set-piece deliveries were more varied, hitting central areas five times, wide of the box four times, and into the six-yard box twice.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played a key role with corners and free kicks creating first-contact and second-phase situations. Madrid's first set-piece opportunity came in the 10th minute with a corner to Antonio Rüdiger, followed by a second-phase attempt from Jude Bellingham. Vinícius Júnior's late short corner to Arda Güler netted a saved first-phase shot in stoppage time.
Malaga's set-piece threat emerged after Madrid had already led 3-0, with only two dead balls while the game was level and then 13 while trailing. Their four set-piece shots were produced in that trailing state, with two central and one wide of the box delivery locations. Rafa Rodríguez hit the post from a first-phase corner in the 42nd minute, while David Larrubia and Haitam Abaida had second-phase shots in the 71st, 82nd, and 84th minutes, respectively.
Set-piece activity increased after halftime, with 17 dead balls in the first half (14 for Madrid and three for Malaga) producing two shots, and 22 dead balls in the second half (10 for Madrid and 12 for Malaga) resulting in six shots. Madrid's set-piece edge came from delivery volume, first-contact control, and higher shot quality, while Malaga's output was mostly from chasing the game and second-phase situations.
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