A Kylian Mbappe hat-trick ensured there would be no drama as Jose Mourinho made his return in front of the Real Madrid faithful after 13 years.
The Frenchman scored in the first half and then twice in the second as Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 to make it two La Liga wins from two under their returning manager.
Mourinho received a loud reception before kick-off on his return to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portuguese had begun his second tenure with a victory at Espanyol on Saturday and saw his side follow it with another convincing result, despite being held 1-1 at half-time.
Mbappe opened the scoring five minutes before the break after Federico Valverde found him with a clever pass. His first touch then pushed the ball to the side to create space for a left-footed finish beyond Alex Remiro.
Sociedad responded before half-time. Sergio Gomez’s ball forward caught Madrid out and, after Job Ochieng’s tentative effort was deflected across the box, Luka Sucic ran onto it and slammed past Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid ramped up the pressure after the restart, but Remiro was able to deny Mbappe and Arda Guler. Mourinho’s frustration grew as he protested against challenges on his players that he believed warranted yellow cards.
The breakthrough then came on the hour, when Marc Cucurella and Valverde combined down the left before Mbappe exchanged passes with Jude Bellingham and slid the ball beyond Remiro for his second.
Bellingham also created the third. He won back possession on the left after his initial shot was blocked, and then squared for Vinicius Junior, who reacted quickly to turn it into an empty net.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining, lifting the ball over Remiro after Vinicius sent him through. The goal took his Real Madrid tally to 89 in 105 appearances.
Brahim Diaz thought he had added a fifth in stoppage time, but VAR ruled out the goal.
