This is already much better! After a worrying performance in their opening game of the season, which they only managed to win thanks to a last-minute goal, Real Madrid significantly improved their showing in their home opener. This time, Carlos Espí did not have to put out any fires, as Kylian Mbappe made sure the flames did not spread. The French forward ensured that Jose Mourinho’s first game at the Santiago Bernabeu, 4,835 days after the last one he managed during his first spell, went as smoothly as possible. He opened his goalscoring account for the new season against Real Sociedad, then added two more before the final whistle to complete his hat-trick and blow the Basque side away, giving Real a convincing victory in their postponed La Liga opener – 4:1 (1:1).The Portuguese tactician named the same starting XI that had struggled against Espanyol just four days earlier. The opening stages suggested that Madrid could be in for another difficult evening. Real were creating chances, but they were also allowing Sociedad opportunities of their own. In fact, the visitors were arguably closer to taking the lead after Mikel Oyarzabal missed a chance in the 11th minute, before Sergio Gomez sent a volley narrowly wide of the far post in the 35th. Real took the lead shortly afterwards. Kylian Mbappe shrugged off his marker with his first touch before latching onto Federico Valverde’s pass and beating Alex Remiro to send the Santiago Bernabeu into raptures. The celebrations did not last long, however, as Sociedad managed to cool the hosts’ enthusiasm just before half-time.Job Ochieng got away from Ibrahima Konate far too easily before sending in a weak effort. He was fortunate, though, as Luka Sucic pounced on the rebound and, in stride, fired it into the far corner to level the score. On the balance of play, the equaliser was fully deserved. At least on the basis of what we saw in the first half. After the break, Real finally began to play the way their names on paper suggested they should. They shifted into a higher gear and tore Sociedad apart within 20 minutes, with the visitors simply unable to cope with Madrid’s attacking firepower.And above all, with Mbappe, who made amends for his early second-half miss by restoring Real’s lead in the 60th minute before putting the game beyond doubt with his third goal of the night in the 80th. It would be wrong to say he did it all on his own, as Jude Bellingham played a major role, setting him up for the 2:1 before doing the same for Vinícius Junior just eight minutes later. The Brazilian was also in excellent form, adding an assist to his goal to round off Real’s fourth and final goal of the evening.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 1WednesdayReal Madrid – Real Sociedad 4-1 (1-1)/Mbappe 40, 60, 80, Vinicius Jr 68 – Sucic 44/Thursday21.30: (2.00) Celta (3.40) Osasuna (3.90)22.00: (1.32) Barcelona (5.60) Ath.Bilbao (8.50)***odds are subject to change***