Malaga beats Zenit St. Petersburg

Francisco ''Isco'' Alarcon scored twice in Malaga's 3-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday, giving the Spanish team a dream Champions League debut after the exit of several star players during a turbulent offseason. Malaga led 2-0 by the 13th minute after goals by Isco and Javier Saviola. Zenit had numerous chances but failed to finish them off, and Isco struck again in the 76th minute. Malaga was supposed to struggle this season after a financial about-face by its Qatari owners led to the sale of stars Santi Cazorla and Jose Rondon among other players Instead, Malaga is undefeated after seven games to be second in the league and top of Group C in club football's top competition after AC Milan and Anderlecht drew 0-0 in the other match.