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Kylian Mbappe produced a stunning second-half display as Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga, prompting new manager Jose Mourinho to praise the forward’s hunger and determination.
The victory was Mourinho’s first home match at the Santiago Bernabeu since returning to the Real Madrid dugout, and it extended his perfect start to two wins from two games.
Mbappe opened the scoring shortly before half-time, but Real Sociedad quickly responded through Luka Sucic to send both sides into the interval level.
Real Madrid returned from the break with far greater intensity. Mbappe struck twice more to complete his hat-trick, while Vinicius Junior added another goal as Madrid turned a tight contest into a convincing victory.
Jude Bellingham was also influential, supplying two assists as Real Madrid’s attacking players overwhelmed Sociedad in the second half.
Mourinho was particularly impressed by Mbappe’s mentality and commitment, describing the France international as an exceptional player capable of making history at the highest level.
“This guy is incredible,” Mourinho told reporters after the match.
“I’m happy that he made history at the World Cup because there were 25 world champion players, but only one is for eternity in football, the player with most goals at a World Cup. He looks hungry to make history with Real Madrid.”
The Portuguese manager also revealed that Mbappe returned from his holiday two days earlier than scheduled, highlighting the forward’s commitment to making an immediate impact under his new coach.
“I’m very happy with him, technically there’s nothing to say obviously, but in the group, he’s taking responsibility, he got back two days early from his holiday,” Mourinho said.
Mourinho was reluctant to set a specific target for Mbappe’s goals this season, stressing that trophies and collective success would matter more than an individual scoring tally.
“If it’s 60, 40, 50? I can’t say,” he said. “I’d prefer 40 goals but with trophies, or 40 goals with a lot of work… Today I left him on the field for 90 minutes, I thought he might score four!”
The match was briefly uncomfortable for Madrid when sections of the Bernabeu crowd whistled after Sociedad’s equaliser. Mourinho, however, said such reactions were part of the expectations surrounding the club.
“We know the Bernabeu, the players know it, I know it,” he said. “Thankfully they’re like that, because it’s a consequence of history.”
Real Madrid now have six points from their opening two league matches under Mourinho and will face newly promoted Malaga in their next La Liga fixture on Sunday.
