La Liga
Real Madrid Open La Liga Campaign with Dominant 4-1 Bernabéu Win Over Sociedad
Kylian Mbappe scores twice as Los Blancos secure three points in Mourinho's first match in charge at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid kicked off their La Liga campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappe leading the charge with two goals. The home side, managed by Jose Mourinho in his first match in charge, deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation that proved too strong for an equally arranged Sociedad side under Pellegrino Matarazzo.
The match began with Real Madrid showing early intent. A yellow card for A. Carreras in the 10th minute set the tone for a physical opening period, but the hosts kept the pressure on. Their persistence paid off in the 40th minute when Mbappe found the back of the net, capitalizing on an assist from Federico Valverde to give Madrid a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
However, Sociedad answered just before the break. In the 44th minute, L. Sucic pulled one back for the visitors, leveling the score at 1-1 at halftime. The goal gave Sociedad momentum heading into the dressing rooms despite the late first-half booking of J. Aramburu in stoppage time.
The second half saw Real Madrid regroup and reassert their dominance. Just after the hour mark, in the 60th minute, Mbappe struck again. This time, Jude Bellingham provided the assist, restoring Madrid's lead and sending a statement to the rest of the league. The goal showcased the fluid attacking play that Mourinho's system allowed to flourish.
Madrid doubled their advantage in the 68th minute with a well-worked goal. Again, Bellingham played the provider, setting up Vinicius Junior to slot home and extend the lead to 3-1. The goal highlighted Madrid's depth of talent and their ability to break down organized defenses.
Sociedad struggled to mount a meaningful response, and their efforts were further hampered by a yellow card for L. Beitia in the 71st minute. Madrid's pressing and tactical discipline under Mourinho continued to tell, with I. Konate receiving a caution in the 73rd minute as both teams engaged in a more intense phase of play.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Madrid sealed the result. In the 80th minute, Vinicius Junior delivered an assist of his own, setting up Mbappe for his second goal of the evening. The goal completed a memorable afternoon for the French forward and pushed Madrid's advantage to 4-1.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, both sides had opportunities to add to the scoreline. E. Camavinga was booked in the 90th-plus-four minute for Madrid as the match entered its final moments. Despite the late surge of energy, no further goals materialized.
The result leaves Real Madrid top of La Liga after Matchday 2, with six points from two games. Their defensive solidity and attacking firepower suggest a strong title challenge ahead. Conversely, Real Sociedad sits bottom of the table with zero points, raising questions about their ability to compete this season.
Referee M. Busquets oversaw a match that featured six yellow cards but no reds, allowing the flow of play to remain largely uninterrupted. The atmosphere at the Bernabéu was electric, with the home crowd rewarding their team's performance.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will be confident after this statement win, while Sociedad must quickly regroup and address the issues exposed at the Bernabéu if they hope to climb away from the relegation zone.