Kylian Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick propelled Real Madrid to a resounding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, cementing Jose Mourinho’s triumphant return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Published On 26 Aug 2026
In a display of sheer attacking brilliance, Kylian Mbappe netted a spectacular hat-trick to guide Real Madrid to a convincing 4-1 win against Real Sociedad in La Liga. The landmark victory marked Jose Mourinho’s first home match back at the helm, delivering a statement performance that solidified the team’s strong start to the campaign.
Mourinho’s Madrid made it two wins from two, with Vinicius Junior also finding the scoresheet, while Jude Bellingham provided two assists. The dynamic trio effortlessly dismantled the Basque visitors, showcasing the cohesive unit Mourinho had envisioned.
The veteran Portuguese coach stuck with the same starting lineup that clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol in his debut match the previous Saturday. Mourinho had previously noted the challenge, but not impossibility, of getting the club’s three marquee stars to perform at their absolute peak—and this match proved he was on the right track.
The encounter began with an open, end-to-end rhythm. Vinicius Junior fired a shot over the bar, while Mbappe forced a sharp low save from Alex Remiro. At the opposite end, Real Madrid’s shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois produced an excellent stop to deny Mikel Oyarzabal, keeping the hosts in the contest.
Remiro was repeatedly called into action, making another crucial save to stop Vinicius after Mbappe cleverly slipped the Brazilian through. Real Sociedad responded with a blistering volley from Sergio Gomez that whistled just wide of Courtois’s far post.
Just five minutes before halftime, the breakthrough arrived. Federico Valverde fed Mbappe, who executed a deft touch to shake off his marker and rifled the ball into the top corner, marking his first goal of the season.
However, Los Blancos struggled to secure their lead until the interval. A moment of hesitation in defense allowed Luka Sucic to pounce on a deflected shot and equalize, sending the teams into the dressing room level.
Early in the second half, Arda Guler set up Mbappe, whose initial effort was saved by Remiro. But the Spanish goalkeeper was powerless to stop the French star’s next attempt. A fluid passing sequence involving Valverde and Bellingham culminated in Mbappe calmly slotting home to restore Madrid’s lead.
Madrid’s third goal came from Vinicius Junior, who had been quiet until then. The Brazilian owed his moment to Bellingham’s relentless determination; after the midfielder’s shot was blocked, he refused to give up, won the ball back deep in the opponent’s area, and laid it on a platter for Vinicius to tap home.
Emboldened by his goal, Vinicius then delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Mbappe, who chipped the ball delicately over Remiro to complete his hat-trick—the standout goal of the afternoon.
With the result beyond doubt, Vinicius was substituted in the final seven minutes for record signing Yan Diomande, sharing a warm embrace with Mourinho as he left the pitch. The forward, who recently extended his contract until 2032, was all smiles, a stark contrast to the frustrations of the previous season.
On Thursday, Spanish champions Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao, with new signing Rodri poised to make his debut for Hansi Flick’s side from the bench.
