Kylian Mbappe produced a superb hat-trick as Jose Mourinho enjoyed a winning return to the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid defeating Real Sociedad in La Liga.
It was another positive result for Mourinho, who had already begun his second spell at the club with a 2-1 victory away at Espanyol. His latest success was more convincing, although Real Sociedad made Madrid work hard for the points.
Mbappe was the star of the evening, scoring three impressive goals, while Jude Bellingham played a key role in the victory by contributing two assists. The England midfielder also helped create Vinicius Jr’s goal during an excellent second-half spell for the hosts.
The Bernabeu was packed as supporters welcomed Mourinho back to the stadium more than a decade after his previous spell in charge. During his earlier tenure, the Portuguese coach won three domestic trophies and recorded 128 victories from 178 matches.
Real Sociedad, however, were not interested in simply being part of the occasion. They defended stubbornly during the opening stages and made it difficult for Madrid to find space.
The deadlock was finally broken five minutes before the interval. Mbappe showed excellent control inside the penalty area, using his first touch to escape his marker before powering his finish into the net.
Real Sociedad responded almost immediately. Just four minutes later, a deflected effort dropped perfectly for Luka Sucic, who made no mistake from the resulting opportunity to bring the visitors level.
Bellingham Helps Real Madrid Take Control
Real Madrid stepped up their performance after the break, with Bellingham at the centre of their best attacking moments.
The midfielder combined intelligently with Mbappe before the French forward finished beyond the goalkeeper to restore Madrid’s advantage.
Bellingham then continued to cause problems inside the penalty area. His determination allowed him to create the opening for Vinicius Jr, who completed the move with a simple finish.
Mbappe saved his best moment for later in the match. After receiving a fine pass from Vinicius Jr into the box, the forward lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick and secure an impressive victory.
Mourinho was full of praise for Mbappe after the match, highlighting the forward’s ambition and his desire to leave a lasting mark at Real Madrid.
The Portuguese manager believes Mbappe offers much more than goals. He pointed to the player’s willingness to become involved in the wider build-up rather than simply waiting for teammates to create chances.
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Mourinho Receives Huge Welcome at the Bernabeu
Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu generated considerable excitement before kick-off.
When his name was announced alongside the starting line-up, the stadium responded with a huge reception, with supporters loudly chanting his name.
There is a strong desire among Real Madrid fans to see the club return to the top, and Mourinho’s previous success means many supporters believe he has the experience required to deliver trophies.
The manager himself has acknowledged the expectations surrounding the job, with a season without silverware likely to be regarded as a disappointment.
For now, though, Madrid could hardly have asked for a better beginning. Two matches have produced two victories.
The win over Real Sociedad also represented an improvement on the narrow victory at Espanyol. Madrid gradually took control and looked increasingly comfortable as the second half progressed.
Mourinho spent much of the match calmly watching from the bench, although he eventually approached the fourth official to express his frustration over a decision.
Despite his composed appearance, the result will have provided satisfaction. Winning at the Bernabeu is an important early step, particularly during the opening stages of a new chapter.
Mourinho Keeps His Focus on Staying Calm
Mourinho repeatedly used the word “tranquilo”, meaning calm, when speaking to journalists after the match.
He explained that there was a relaxed atmosphere around the dressing room and among the players, while suggesting that he also felt much calmer than during his earlier years in management.
His return to the Bernabeu was also noticeably different from his previous experiences. Mourinho recalled watching a match from a car park while serving a UEFA suspension, whereas this time he was able to experience the occasion from the Madrid bench.
The manager also appeared to enjoy his interactions with the media, exchanging jokes and engaging in some light-hearted conversations during his post-match duties.
However, Mourinho knows the early results need to be put into perspective.
Real Madrid have won both of their opening matches, but neither Espanyol nor Real Sociedad has provided the kind of challenge that will truly reveal how far this team has progressed.
That test could arrive when Madrid travel to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on 20 September.
With the derby widely viewed as Mourinho’s first major examination of this spell, the question will be whether the manager can maintain his calm approach when the pressure and intensity rise.