Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Doble de Bellingham y 3-0 para afianzarse líder de LaLiga (Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: Bellingham Brace Seals 3-0 Win to Extend La Liga Lead)

The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed a statement win on 26 August 2026 as Real Madrid dismantled Real Sociedad 4-1 in their LaLiga EA Sports opener. The night belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who announced himself to the home crowd with a devastating hat-trick (40’, 60’, 80’) and an assist-cum-shot that Vinícius Júnior diverted in on 68 minutes. Sociedad briefly silenced the stadium when Luka Sučić curled in a 44-minute equaliser, but Imanol Alguacil’s youthful side could not stem Madrid’s relentless waves of attack after the break. Match summary • Final score: Real Madrid 4–1 Real Sociedad • Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid • Attendance: 81,512 • Scorers: Mbappé 40’, 60’, 80’; Vinícius 68’ | Sučić 44’ • Possession: 64 % – 36 % in favour of Madrid • Shots (on target): 23 (11) – 9 (3) Tactical talking points Carlo Ancelotti set up his champions in a fluid 4-3-3 that morphed into a 3-2-5 in possession. Jude Bellingham operated as a free-eight, constantly dragging markers to open half-spaces for Mbappé’s diagonal runs between right-back Álvaro Odriozola and centre-half Igor Zubeldia. The visitors tried to match Madrid’s high press with a 4-2-3-1 spearheaded by Take Kubo, but early turnovers—Madrid completed 12 high recoveries—kept the ball pinned in Sociedad’s third. Key moments • 40’ 1-0 – Dani Carvajal recycled a half-cleared corner, lofting a cross that Mbappé powered home unmarked at the far post. • 44’ 1-1 – Against the run of play, Sučić latched onto André Silva’s cut-back and bent a 20-metre effort inside the right upright. • 60’ 2-1 – Bellingham’s disguised reverse pass split the lines; Mbappé steadied himself before rifling low across Álex Remiro. • 68’ 3-1 – A trademark Vinícius burst ended with the Brazilian chesting in Mbappé’s mishit shot, confirmed after VAR review. • 80’ 4-1 – Substitute Arda Güler hit the bar; Mbappé followed up with an acrobatic overhead to seal his treble. Statistics that matter • Mbappé became the first Madridista since Ronaldo Nazário (2002) to net a debut league hat-trick. • Madrid extended their unbeaten home streak in LaLiga to 38 matches. • Sociedad failed to win in the capital for the 16th consecutive season. Manager reactions Ancelotti: “Kylian’s finishing grabs headlines, but his pressing set the tone. The front three defended as a unit and that energy spread.” Alguacil: “We paid for naive passes in dangerous zones. At 1-1 we were comfortable, but Madrid punish every detail.” What it means for the table Real Madrid jump straight to the top on goal difference, sending a message to title rivals Barcelona and Atlético. Sociedad, who finished fourth last term, will seek redemption when they host Valencia on Sunday. Injury and suspension watch • Eduardo Camavinga missed out with a minor adductor strain but is expected back next week. • Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi served the final game of his suspension and will return for Matchday 2. Looking ahead Real Madrid travel to newly promoted Levante on 31 August before the first international break of 2026-27. With Mbappé already clicking alongside Vinícius and Rodrygo, Los Blancos appear primed for another deep Champions League run. Sociedad’s young squad showed flashes of bravery; tidy build-up and Kubo’s creativity suggest they will again be contenders for European places once their schedule softens. SEO focus phrases: Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad, LaLiga match report, Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, 26 August 2026, Santiago Bernabéu attendance, Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad analysis.