Kylian Mbappé scored a hat‑trick as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on 26 August 2026, while home supporters voiced frustration and jeered during José Mourinho’s first home match back in charge.
- Kylian Mbappé scored a hat‑trick as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 at the Bernabéu on 26 August 2026.
- José Mourinho’s first home match back was met with jeers during a sluggish first half, though Madrid produced a strong second‑half response.
- Jude bellingham and Vinícius Júnior played key roles in the rebuild after half‑time; Luka Sučić scored for Sociedad.
- The win puts Real on six points from two games; table positions may change depending on Barcelona’s results.
What happened
Mbappé opened the scoring just before half‑time, converting a Fede Valverde pass in the 40th minute. Real Sociedad replied quickly when Luka Sučić levelled four minutes later, leaving the teams 1-1 at the interval. After the break, Madrid improved sharply: Mbappé restored the lead on the hour following a one‑two with Jude bellingham, Vinícius Júnior made it 3-1 in the 68th minute, and Mbappé completed his treble with a composed chip in the 80th minute to seal a 4-1 victory.
Context: Mourinho’s return and the crowd reaction
The match was José Mourinho’s first home game back as Real Madrid head coach more than 13 years after his previous Bernabéu home appearance. Despite the win, the team were booed by sections of the crowd during a sluggish opening period when Madrid looked short of rhythm and were vulnerable on the counter. The jeers were in evidence before half‑time, and the atmosphere remained a subplot to the on‑field action.
Mourinho acknowledged the reception and praised his players for responding in the second half, saying the boos can motivate players and that he was pleased with the team’s turnaround and clinical finishing after the interval (The Guardian).
Key moments and players
- Mbappé: three goals (40, 60, 80 minutes) — decisive all evening and the standout performer of the match (The Guardian; t-online).
- Luka Sučić: 44th‑minute equaliser for Real Sociedad that capped a threatening early spell for the visitors (The Guardian).
- Jude Bellingham: influential in the second half, providing the one‑two that set up Mbappé’s second and winning the ball that led to Vinícius’s goal (The Guardian).
- Vinícius Júnior: tapped in Madrid’s third in the 68th minute after Bellingham’s pressing created the opportunity (The Guardian).
- Thibaut Courtois and Álex Remiro: kept goal for Madrid and Sociedad respectively; Remiro was beaten three times by Mbappé’s finishes (The Guardian).
Why this matters
The result underlines Mbappé’s role as Real Madrid’s primary attacking threat early in the LaLiga season; after two matches Madrid sit on six points and, on goal difference, top the table for the moment (t‑online). The victory also showcased Mourinho’s impact on the team’s second‑half performance: a disjointed first 45 minutes gave way to a more urgent, direct display after the break.
At the same time, the crowd’s reaction is notable. Jeers at home — especially during a high‑profile managerial return — signal unease in the stands that Mourinho will have to manage alongside on‑field tactics. Reports point to fans voicing displeasure as Madrid appeared careless in possession early on and had several counter‑vulnerabilities that Real Sociedad probed (The Guardian).
What comes next
Real Madrid will look to build on the attacking rhythm shown after half‑time as the LaLiga campaign continues. The win gives them an early boost in the table, though t‑online notes Barcelona could move above them depending on their next result. For Mourinho, maintaining the second‑half intensity while addressing the first‑half lapses will be a priority to calm supporters and sustain momentum.
Timeline of the match (key events)
- 10’ — Real Sociedad chance: Mikel Oyarzabal denied by Thibaut Courtois after a Takefusa Kubo interception (The Guardian).
- 34’ — Sergio Gómez volley flashes wide as Sociedad press (The Guardian).
- 40’ — Mbappé scores from Valverde’s through‑pass to put Madrid ahead (The Guardian).
- 44’ — Luka Sučić equalises for Real Sociedad (The Guardian).
- HT — 1-1 at the break; jeers heard from the Bernabéu crowd (The Guardian).
- 60’ — Mbappé restores Madrid’s lead after a one‑two with Bellingham (The Guardian).
- 68’ — Vinícius Júnior makes it 3-1 following Bellingham’s pressing and cross (The Guardian).
- 80’ — Mbappé completes his hat‑trick with a chip over Remiro (The Guardian).
Practical implications for fans and readers in Britain
For UK viewers and followers of LaLiga, Mbappé’s continuing scoring form is significant ahead of Champions League group draws and international fixtures: he remains a key player who can influence title races and European campaigns. The jeering at the Bernabéu is a reminder that even elite clubs can face intense supporter scrutiny, and that managerial returns — even high‑profile ones — do not guarantee an uncritical reception.
Attribution
This article is based on match reporting by The Guardian and supporting coverage from t‑online. Specific match events, quotes and minute‑by‑minute details are drawn from The Guardian’s match report and t‑online’s match summary (see citation anchors).