Real Madrid made a strong start to their new La Liga season at home as they beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Kylian Mbappé was the star of the night with three goals, while Vinícius Júnior also found the net.
The result gave José Mourinho two wins from his first two La Liga games since his return as Real Madrid coach. Madrid had won 2-1 away at Espanyol in their first match. They then put four goals past Real Sociedad in their first home game of the new season.
The match was not easy for Madrid at first. The home side had a poor spell before half-time and went into the break at 1-1. Some fans at the Bernabéu showed their anger with boos. Yet Madrid came back after the break with far more pace, control and purpose.
Mbappé Opens His Account
Mbappé had a chance as early as the seventh minute, but Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro made a fine save. Four minutes later, Thibaut Courtois had to make a key stop at the other end after Mikel Oyarzabal got a shot away inside the box.
Real Madrid then had another good chance in the 21st minute. Federico Valverde won the ball in the other half and Mbappé sent it into space for Vinícius. The Brazilian had a clear chance, but Remiro again stood tall.
Real Sociedad also looked dangerous. In the 35th minute, Sergio Gómez came close with a strong volley that went just wide. Madrid needed a moment of quality to break the deadlock, and Mbappé gave them exactly that.
In the 40th minute, Valverde made a fine run from deep and sent a superb pass toward Mbappé. The French forward took the ball into the box, moved past his marker and fired a powerful shot into the top corner.
It was a brilliant finish and it gave Madrid a 1-0 lead.
Real Sociedad Hit Back
Madrid could not take that lead into half-time.
Only four minutes after Mbappé’s goal, Real Sociedad found an equaliser. Luka Sučić got the ball after a deflection inside the box and sent a low shot past Courtois in the 44th minute.
The goal changed the mood inside the Bernabéu. Madrid had not looked fully settled, and the home crowd made its frustration clear.
The score was 1-1 at the break. For Mourinho, there was a clear need for a better second half.
The Portuguese coach later said that the Bernabéu fans are very demanding and that a few boos can help a team improve. He also praised his players for their response after the break.
Madrid Change the Game
Real Madrid came out with a much better approach after half-time. Their pressure was stronger, their passes were quicker and their attack had more speed.
Mbappé had another chance soon after the restart, but his shot went too close to Remiro. It did not take long for the Frenchman to get another chance, and this time he made no mistake.
In the 60th minute, Mbappé and Jude Bellingham worked together inside the box. Their quick one-two gave Mbappé space, and he sent a low shot past Remiro to put Madrid back ahead.
The goal was important for more than the score. It showed that Madrid had found a way through a Real Sociedad defence that had caused them problems in the first half.
Vinícius Makes It 3-1
Madrid did not slow down after the second goal.
Bellingham played a major part in the third goal. In the 68th minute, he won the ball back near the Real Sociedad goal and sent a low pass across the box.
Vinícius Júnior was in the right place. He took the chance from close range and made it 3-1.
It was his first goal of the new La Liga season. Bellingham had now set up both Mbappé and Vinícius for goals, a sign of the strong link between the England midfielder and Madrid’s two main forwards.
The goal also gave Madrid much more comfort. Real Sociedad had been a threat before the break, but the visitors now had a much harder task.
Mbappé Completes His Hat-Trick
Mbappé was not finished.
With 80 minutes on the clock, Vinícius sent a clever pass behind the Real Sociedad defence. Mbappé reached the ball and calmly lifted it over Remiro.
The ball went into the net, and Mbappé had his third goal of the night.
The French star had scored once before half-time and twice after it. His hat-trick was also his first of the 2026-27 La Liga season.
The final score was 4-1, and Madrid had turned a difficult first half into a very comfortable win.
Bellingham Plays a Key Role
Much of the focus will go to Mbappé, but Bellingham also had an excellent night.
The midfielder gave two assists in the match. His first came for Mbappé’s second goal in the 60th minute. His second set up Vinícius for Madrid’s third goal in the 68th minute.
This was the first time Bellingham had provided assists for both Mbappé and Vinícius in the same Real Madrid match. It gave Madrid another clear sign of how their main stars can work together.
The trio of Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham will be one of the main points of interest under Mourinho. This match showed that each player can have a major role without the attack losing its shape.
Mourinho Gets the Perfect Bernabéu Return
The match was also special for Mourinho.
It was his first home game at the Bernabéu since his return to Real Madrid. His previous home match as Madrid coach came more than 13 years ago, on June 1, 2013, when his side beat Osasuna 4-2.
His second spell has now started with two wins from two league games.
The first half may have caused concern, but the second half gave Mourinho plenty to enjoy. Madrid showed more strength, more speed and much better control after the break.
Mourinho also praised Mbappé after the match and called him an incredible player. He said he could see that the forward was hungry to make his own history at Real Madrid.
Madrid Sit at the Top
After two matches, Real Madrid are at the top of the early La Liga table. They have six points from six and have scored six goals across their first two league games.
Their 4-1 win over Real Sociedad also showed that this Madrid side can win in more than one way. Against Espanyol, they needed a late goal for a 2-1 win. Against Sociedad, they had to recover from a 1-1 score at half-time before they took control.
The numbers also show that Madrid did not need most of the ball to win. They had 51% possession compared with 49% for Sociedad. Madrid had 20 shots to Sociedad’s 10 and 46 touches in the opposition box compared with 15 for the visitors.
A Strong Start for Real Madrid
The 4-1 win gives Madrid plenty of reason for hope, but it also shows areas that need work. Their first-half display was not perfect, and Real Sociedad found space and chances before the break.
Still, the response was impressive.
Mbappé took his chances, Vinícius added his first league goal of the season, and Bellingham helped both stars find the net. Courtois also made important saves when Sociedad had chances.
For Mourinho, the result is an ideal start at the Bernabéu. For Mbappé, it is an even bigger statement.
Three goals, one 4-1 win and two victories from two league games have put Real Madrid at the top of La Liga early in the season. Their next league match is against Real Betis on August 30, when Mourinho’s side will aim for a third straight win.
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