Mourinho's perfect Bernabeu return: Mbappe scores hat-trick in win as Spanish media hail Bellingham

 Jose Mourinho's first game back at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid manager got off to a winning start after a thumping 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as the Spanish giants won their first home match of the LaLiga season.

While Real's star striker collected the match ball, it was he and Jude Bellingham who picked up the accolades for their performances.

Spanish outlet Marca gave Mbappe a 10/10 for his display, while Bellingham received a nine.

While Mbappe was labelled 'devastating', Marca's praise for Bellingham was noteworthy too who they called 'Mourinho's star signing'.

Describing his first-half showing as an 8/10, Marca writes: 'Giving the impression of being in peak physical condition and without losing the spark he rediscovered at the World Cup.

'Intense, aggressive, appearing everywhere and playing with clarity and precision. He was very dangerous on the edge of the box and created good chances for Mbappe and Vini [Vinicius Jr].

'He appealed for a clear free-kick on the edge of the area, which Busquets Ferrer denied. He drew a yellow card from Yangel Herrera.'

The Madrid-based outlet then purrs over the 23-year-old's second-half showing which increases to 9/10, writing: 'Stellar. The Bernabeu's ovation when he was substituted was proof of a fantastic match full of commitment, effort, and moments of quality.

'An exquisite one-two with Mbappe on the edge of the box left the Frenchman alone for the 2-1. A truly world-class piece of skill. But there was more. His great individual effort and fighting spirit led to the assist he provided for Vinicius's third goal.

'Bellingham is Mourinho's star signing.'

High praise indeed.

Mbappe put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute before Luka Sucic levelled four minutes later but the France forward restored the hosts' lead on the hour and Vinicius Jr added a third in the 68th before Mbappe completed his treble 10 minutes from time.

It was also a winning return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Mourinho, more than 13 years after his previous home match in charge of the club, as Real recovered from a disjointed first half with a ruthless display after the break.

Madrid were jeered before half-time after a sluggish opening in which they looked short of rhythm, careless in possession and vulnerable on the counter-attack.

'There's always a sense of justice in the boos and the applause, and the odd boo now and then doesn't do anyone any harm - it helps you grow,' Mourinho told a press conference.

'We all know the Santiago Bernabeu and just how demanding the fans are there, and I'm very pleased with how my players responded under pressure and put in a great second half, in which we could even have scored more goals.'

Sociedad carried the sharper threat early on and almost went ahead in the 10th minute when Take Kubo intercepted a loose pass near the edge of the box and slipped in Mikel Oyarzabal, whose close-range effort was kept out by Thibaut Courtois.

The visitors went close again in the 34th minute, Sergio Gomez flashing a fine volley just wide of the far post, as the Bernabeu crowd began to voice its frustration.

Mbappe briefly changed the mood five minutes before half-time with a flash of class. Federico Valverde collected the ball just beyond midfield and split the defense with a superb pass, allowing Mbappe to surge into the box, cut left and lash a shot into the top corner.

But Real's defensive uncertainty returned four minutes later. Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras were all caught out after Job Ochieng latched on to a long ball, his deflected effort falling to Luka Sucic on the right, who had time to steady himself and drill a low shot past Courtois.