Mourinho marks Real Madrid return with emphatic win over Real Sociedad

Real Madrid celebrated Jose Mourinho’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, as Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the rearranged La Liga fixture from the opening round.

The result moved Real Madrid to the top of the table on six points, level with Sevilla and Real Betis. Real Sociedad remain bottom without a point after losing both of their matches.

The match was Mourinho’s first official appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid manager for 4,834 days – more than 13 years. Supporters welcomed their new manager by chanting his name from the opening whistle.

Before kick-off, Mourinho said: “I don’t want the Bernabeu to welcome me in a certain way; I want the fans to welcome the team as their team, as their passion.”

Real Madrid had begun the week with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol in the second round of La Liga, while Real Sociedad had suffered a 1-0 defeat by Real Betis.

Mourinho named the same starting XI that had faced Espanyol. Thibaut Courtois started in goal behind Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras. Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler formed the midfield, with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Mbappe leading the attack.

The hosts made a measured start, with Mbappe creating the first significant opening in the seventh minute. After receiving a pass from Vinicius Junior, he moved into the penalty area from the left and struck towards goal, but the goalkeeper saved.

Carreras was booked three minutes later for a strong challenge on Real Sociedad’s Japan international Takefusa Kubo.

Courtois then prevented the visitors from taking the lead, pushing Mikel Oyarzabal’s effort behind for a corner during Real Sociedad’s first meaningful attack.

Real Sociedad went close again after 35 minutes when Sergio Gomez produced an excellent shot that narrowly missed Courtois’ left-hand post.

Real Madrid finally broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. Valverde supplied Mbappe, who went past a Real Sociedad defender before firing a powerful left-footed finish into the net.

The lead lasted only four minutes. Luka Sucic reacted quickest to a shot inside the penalty area and drove the loose ball beyond Courtois to restore parity. The teams went into half-time level at 1-1.

Mourinho made a change before the second half began, replacing Carreras with Marc Cucurella.

Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro kept the score level by saving when Mbappe was through one-on-one. However, increasing pressure from Real Madrid eventually produced a second goal in the 60th minute.

Mbappe exchanged passes with Bellingham before completing his second finish of the night.

Vinicius Junior added Real Madrid’s third goal seven minutes later, opening his account for the season. Bellingham battled to win possession and then played the ball across the face of goal for Vinicius Junior to finish.

Mourinho subsequently made a double substitution, withdrawing Bellingham and Guler for Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz.

Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, turning in Real Madrid’s fourth after a fine pass from Vinicius Junior.

The manager used his remaining changes late in the game, with Jan Diomande replacing Vinicius Junior and Aspe coming on for Bernardo Silva.

Brahim Diaz thought he had added a fifth in the 90th minute after following up a save from the goalkeeper and finishing into an unguarded net. The referee disallowed the effort, however, after judging that Aspe had been caught offside before the rebound.

Real Madrid saw out the remaining stoppage time to secure a convincing victory and give Mourinho a memorable return to the Santiago Bernabeu.