Kylian Mbappe led Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad with a hattrick in their Spanish La Lia match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
The French striker was one of a few shinning light on a night that started with a disjointed opening half before the team cruised to victory in the second half in front of their fans for the first time this season.
Following a 90th-minute winner over Espanyol in their season opener and Barcelona’s convincing five-goal win at Elche, Real Madrid were under pressure to show some form, and Mbappe netted thrice- two in the second half to open his season’s goalscoring account.
Jose Mourinho fielded the same starting XI from the lethargic season opener, and the Portuguese coach ensured another slow start here before Mbappe put the hosts ahead on 40 minutes with a thumping shot after a fantastic first touch to control Federico Valverde’s pass.
However, Real’s porous and luckless defence reared its ugly head and the lead only lasted four minutes, Luka Sucic slotted home after a deflected shot fell kindly into his path, and both sides went in level at the break.
Mbappe, in conjunction with Jude Bellingham, took the game by the scruff of the neck as both exchanged passes that put Mbappe through on goal for last season’s highest goalscorer to slot into the far corner and restore his team’s lead. Bellingham’s doggedness in pressing paid off as he stole the ball in the box and squared for Vinicius Jr. to tap into the from two yards out.
Mbappe then completed his hattrick with 10 minutes left on the clock with a chipped finish from Vinicius’ expertly weight pass to complete seal the win over a Real Sociedad that has failed to win at Madrid in seven years.
Mbappe netted his sixth Real Madrid hattrick tonight- third in La Liga, and has scored 89 goals for Los Merengues who moved to the top of the La Liga table with maximum six points from two matches. Real Madrid will host promoted Malaga in their next league match on Sunday.
