Malaga dominated a lacklustre Zenit St Petersburg with new signing Javier Saviola and playmaker Isco orchestrating a 3-0 victory at the Roselada.
Malaga convincingly bossed the Russian champions throughout the opening 45 minutes, with Isco cutting open their dubious defence on several occasions.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men took no time in establishing themselves, and three minutes in Eliseu worked it to Isco who superbly beat three defenders before curling it past a helpless Vyacheslav Malafeev.
Only 10 minutes later, Argentine summer signing Saviola doubled the Costa del Sol outfit’s lead as he clinically finished after an excellent assist from full back Jesus Gamez.
The second half was a non-event, but 20-year-old Isco completed his brace after linking up with fellow Spaniard Joaquin before smashing the ball into the back of the net with a quarter of an hour left to play.
Malaga eventually ran out worthy winners in their first ever Champions League group match, scoring three goals past a weak Zenit side.
In Group C's other encounter, Milan were held to a goalless draw at home to Anderlecht. Click here to read the match report.
Malaga 3-0 Zenit St Petersburg
Scorers: Isco 3, 76 (M) Saviola 13 (M)
Malaga: Caballero; Gamez, Demichelis, Weligton, Monreal; Camacho; Joaquin (Duda 85), Portillo (Iturra 46), Eliseu; Isco, Saviola (Santa Cruz 62)
Zenit: Malafeev; Anyukov, Bruno Alves, Lombaerts, Lukovic (Bystrov 40); Shirokov (Lumb 86), Zyryanov (Djordjevic 75); Fayzulin, Denisov, Hulk; Kerzhakov
Ref: Clattenburg
