Kylian Mbappe scored three times as Real Madrid marked Jose Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu with a comfortable La Liga victory over Real Sociedad.
Mourinho began his second spell in charge of Real Madrid with a 2-1 win away to Espanyol at the weekend, and his team followed that result with another three points in front of a packed home crowd on Wednesday night.
Real Sociedad made the hosts work for the result, resisting Real Madrid for long periods and threatening to spoil the occasion. But the quality of Mbappe and Jude Bellingham eventually proved decisive, with the England midfielder setting up two of the goals and also playing a part in the move for a third.
Supporters had filled the Bernabeu to welcome back Mourinho, who returned to the club more than a decade after a first spell in which he guided Real Madrid to three domestic titles. He won 128 of his 178 matches during that initial period in charge.
The visitors were determined not to allow the occasion to become a celebration for the home side. Real Sociedad defended stubbornly and kept Real Madrid from establishing a clear advantage during the opening stages.
That resistance was finally broken five minutes before half-time. Mbappe collected the ball just inside the penalty area and used an excellent first touch to move away from his marker. He then struck a powerful finish into the net to put Real Madrid ahead.
Real Sociedad responded almost immediately. Four minutes after falling behind, they drew level when a deflected effort landed favourably for Luka Sucic, who took the opportunity to fire past the goalkeeper.
Real Madrid needed another moment of individual quality to regain control, and Bellingham supplied it midway through the second half.
The midfielder combined with Mbappe in a neat one-two, creating the opening for the forward to place a finish beyond the goalkeeper and restore the home side’s lead.
Bellingham was involved again for Real Madrid’s next goal. His persistence inside the penalty area kept the move alive, allowing him to tee up Vinicius Jr for a simple finish from close range.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick late in the match to secure the win and round off an outstanding individual performance. Vinicius Jr provided the final pass, sending the ball into the penalty area for Mbappe to run on to before he lifted a composed chip over the goalkeeper.
The result gives Mourinho two victories from his opening two matches since taking charge again, while Real Sociedad leave the Bernabeu having been unable to maintain their first-half fight after Mbappe and Bellingham turned the game in Real Madrid’s favour.
Mbappe’s three finishes also ensured the headline on Mourinho’s homecoming belonged to the Real Madrid forward, as the hosts continued their positive start under their returning manager.
