Kylian Mbappe scores hat-trick as Mourinho celebrates first home win

Kylian Mbappe scored three times as Real Madrid swept aside Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga to give Jose Mourinho his first home victory since returning as the club’s coach at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe’s performance, complemented by goals from Vinicius Junior and two assists from Jude Bellingham, secured a second win in two matches for Mourinho’s side. The attacking trio repeatedly exposed the Basque visitors, with Real Madrid producing a dominant second-half display.

Mourinho named the same starting XI that earned a late 2-1 victory at Espanyol in his first match in charge last Saturday. The Portuguese coach had previously described it as difficult, though not impossible, to get Real Madrid’s three biggest attacking names performing at their best in the same team.

Against Real Sociedad, there were signs that plan is beginning to work.

“This guy is incredible,” Mourinho said of Mbappe, while also stressing the importance of the team’s collective performance.

“I see him really hungry to make history with Real Madrid, and I see a team where, despite Kylian being Kylian, it’s hard for me not to talk about the team.”

Both sides created chances in an open first half. Vinicius Junior shot over the crossbar before Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro kept out a low effort from Mbappe at his near post. At the other end, Thibaut Courtois reacted sharply to deny Mikel Oyarzabal.

Remiro then saved again after Mbappe released Vinicius Junior, while Sergio Gomez sent a powerful volley narrowly beyond Courtois’s far post.

Real Madrid finally broke through five minutes before half-time. Federico Valverde supplied Mbappe, who used a clever touch to get away from his marker before placing a superb finish into the top corner.

It was Mbappe’s first goal of the campaign and continued his remarkable record as La Liga’s leading scorer in each of the previous two seasons.

“It’s spectacular, incredible (to have Mbappe), we have to enjoy Mbappe and make the most of him as possible,” Valverde, Real Madrid’s captain, told Real Madrid TV.

“We have to give him a thousand balls so he is comfortable, he can score goals, and he’s happy.”

Real Sociedad, last season’s Copa del Rey winners, responded before the interval. Job Ochieng hesitated in possession and then saw his shot blocked, but the loose ball fell to Luka Sucic, who struck home after his effort took a deflection off Alvaro Carreras.

Real Madrid changed their pressing approach after the break and soon regained control.

“We were finding it hard to get the ball back in their half… We adjusted that and in the second half we were a lot more comfortable,” said Valverde.

Arda Guler sent Mbappe through early in the second half, but Remiro kept out the France forward’s attempt. The goalkeeper was powerless moments later when Mbappe found the net again.

A move involving Valverde and Bellingham ended with the England midfielder sliding a pass into Mbappe’s path. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward made no mistake, calmly guiding the ball past Remiro to restore Real Madrid’s lead.

Vinicius Junior then added a third after Bellingham refused to abandon a blocked shot. The England midfielder won possession back inside the Real Sociedad penalty area and presented the Brazilian with a simple finish.

The goal lifted Vinicius Junior, who soon turned provider. His perfectly weighted pass put Mbappe through, and the striker completed his hat-trick with an outstanding dink over Remiro.

Vinicius Junior was replaced with seven minutes remaining by record Real Madrid signing Yan Diomande. He embraced Mourinho on the touchline after being substituted, visibly satisfied with his contribution.

The moment also contrasted with the frustration that surfaced earlier in Real Madrid’s previous campaign, when Vinicius Junior reacted angrily after being taken off by Xabi Alonso during a Clasico victory over Barcelona in October. The forward, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2032, left the pitch smiling on this occasion.

“I liked everything, and you might tell me the second half was good and the first half wasn’t, but I liked the team even when it wasn’t good,” said Mourinho.

“I’m really happy that the players ended up content, winning at home, smiling, and tomorrow training because on Sunday comes Malaga.”

Barcelona will host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, with new signing Rodri expected to make his debut for Hansi Flick’s side from the bench.