Mbappe hat-trick powers Real Madrid past Real Sociedad on Mourinho's Bernabeu return

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 in their inaugural home match of the LaLiga season at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The France forward put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute, only for Luka Sucic to equalize four minutes later. Mbappe restored the hosts' lead on the hour mark, and Vinicius Jr added a third in the 68th minute.

Mbappe sealed his treble 10 minutes from the final whistle. The return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Jose Mourinho, more than 13 years after his last home game in charge of the club, was a win-filled one. The Portuguese manager's side had struggled with disjointed play in the first half but responded with a ruthless second half display.

Real Madrid were booed before halftime after a sluggish opening characterized by a lack of rhythm, carelessness in possession, and vulnerability to counter-attacks. Despite the boos, Mourinho praised his players for their second-half performance, stating that they could have even scored more goals. Sociedad held the sharper threat early on, with Take Kubo coming close in the 10th minute, while Real Sociedad almost scored again in the 34th minute when Sergio Gomez hit a volley wide.

Real Madrid's defensive uncertainty returned four minutes later, when Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras were caught out by Job Ochieng's long ball. Mourinho made substitutions at halftime, and Madrid emerged transformed, with Vinicius Jr and Mbappe playing with direct running and greater intensity. The hosts regained the lead on the hour, and Bellingham's pressing won the ball back near the byline, setting up Vinicius' tap-in.

Mbappe completed the win in the 80th minute after Vinicius passed the ball behind the defense, lifting a composed chip over Remiro for the hat-trick.