Mbappe's Hat-Trick Powers Real Madrid Past Real Sociedad on Mourinho's Bernabeu Return

Kylian Mbappe struck a brilliant hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking Jose Mourinho's first home match in charge of the club since his previous spell as manager more than 13 years ago.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 40th minute, latching onto a fine defence-splitting pass from Federico Valverde and firing into the top corner. Real Sociedad hit back almost immediately, with Luka Sucic capitalising on a goalmouth scramble to level the score four minutes later, sending the sides in level at half-time despite a tense opening period for the hosts.

The second half belonged entirely to Madrid. Mbappe restored the lead in the 60th minute, combining with Jude Bellingham for a slick one-two before finishing low past Alex Remiro. Bellingham then turned provider eight minutes later, his pressing winning back possession before setting up Vinicius Junior to make it 3-1. Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, latching onto another delightful pass from Vinicius to seal a dominant win and cap the perfect night for Madrid's front three.

The victory made it two wins from two for Mourinho's Madrid, following their late 2-1 win at Espanyol in his first match back in charge last Saturday. Before kickoff, Spain World Cup winner Marc Cucurella, now a Real Madrid player following his summer move from Chelsea after helping Spain lift the trophy, presented the World Cup to the Bernabeu crowd, adding to the occasion of Mourinho's emotional homecoming.

With Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham all firing in the same match, Mourinho's men have sent an early warning to the rest of La Liga, including rivals Barcelona, who themselves made a strong start to the season with a 5-0 win over Elche. The result suggests Mourinho may already be finding a way to get his three biggest attacking talents firing together, something he had flagged as tricky but not impossible before the match.