Mbappé opened the scoring in the 40th minute after Federico Valverde picked him out, then twice restored Madrid’s lead after the break to complete the hat-trick that turned a nervy home opener into a rout.

Mourinho’s verdict at the post-match press conference was short.

“This guy is incredible. I’m happy that he made history at the World Cup because there were 25 world champion players, but only one is for eternity in football, the player with most goals at a World Cup. He looks hungry to make history with Real Madrid.”

Real Sociedad had drawn level in the first half through Luka Sučić before the interval, a deflected effort off Álvaro Carreras that briefly silenced the Bernabéu and drew whistles from the stands at half-time. Mbappé settled the game after the restart with a Jude Bellingham assist. Vinícius Júnior then added the third, set up by Bellingham’s tenacity high up the pitch, before returning the favour with a perfectly weighted pass for Mbappé to dink over Álex Remiro on 80 minutes for his treble, as tracked live on the Al Jazeera match feed.

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From ten shots at Espanyol to three at the Bernabéu

The turnaround did not need much narrating. Four days earlier Mbappé had taken ten shots at Espanyol without scoring, leaving Madrid dependent on a late Carlos Espí winner for the 2-1 opening-day victory. Marko Dmitrović had saved from him twice, and Mbappé had headed a rebound narrowly wide from a Bellingham corner with the goal at his mercy.

At the Bernabéu, three chances produced three goals.

Mourinho’s second stint starts with two from two

Wednesday was Mourinho’s first home fixture of his return to the Real Madrid dugout, and the 4-1 result put him on two wins from two after the late escape at RCDE Stadium. Marc Cucurella and Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal were applauded by the Bernabéu crowd before kick-off for their part in Spain’s World Cup triumph.

Mourinho also praised Mbappé’s attitude off the pitch.

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“I’m very happy with him, technically there’s nothing to say obviously, but in the group, he’s taking responsibility, he got back two days early from his holiday.”

Asked about a possible goal tally for the season, Mourinho left the target open.

“If it’s 60, 40, 50? I can’t say. I’d prefer 40 goals but with trophies.”

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