· 2 min readIn this Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
The second Real Madrid game in La Liga was also José Mourinho’s first back at the Santiago Bernabéu. After a far from convincing debut against Espanyol, where dominance and control were missing and the win only came in the final minute, much more was needed. Real Sociedad, despite losing on the opening matchday, wasn’t exactly an easy opponent either.
Mourinho repeated exactly the same starting XI from the first game and the match started very physically. Real Sociedad actually started better, creating danger through Oyarzabal, who forced Courtois into a good save with his feet. Madrid defended in a 4-2-3-1, with Mbappé up front, and took a few minutes to really take control.
In the 19th minute, the home side started to have their best spell. Madrid pushed Sociedad back, moved the ball well and started getting closer. In the 21st minute, Valverde pressed well, Mbappé found Vini Jr in behind and the Brazilian’s shot was saved by Remiro. Interestingly, Bellingham appeared behind the angle already celebrating before Vini had even taken the shot. Funny, because Vini didn’t score.
The game remained balanced and Oyarzabal threatened again shortly afterwards. Until, in the 40th minute, Mbappé appeared. Valverde carried the ball forward and found the Frenchman, who produced an excellent first touch to his left before firing into the corner. A beautiful goal and 1-0 to Real Madrid.
But the lead didn’t last long. In the 44th minute, Job Ochieng received a long ball, beat Konaté and shot, but his effort was blocked. The ball stayed alive inside the box and Sucic appeared completely unmarked before firing in for 1-1. Far too passive from Madrid.
At half-time, Carreras came off and Cucurella came on. Mbappé almost scored again right at the start of the second half, but Remiro saved his one-on-one effort.
Madrid started controlling more of the ball and, in the 60th minute, regained the lead. In a positional attack near the box, Mbappé played it to Bellingham and received the ball back into the space. The Frenchman fired a low shot and made it 2-1. Simple, quick and effective.
In the 67th minute, Bellingham was decisive again. He dribbled, shot, lost the ball, won it back inside the box and, close to goal, found Vini Jr in the six-yard box. The Brazilian only had to tap it in to make it 3-1. A great play from the Englishman, who is in incredible form.
Sociedad tried to respond, but lacked the creativity to create any real danger. And in the 80th minute came the moment of the night. From a short corner, the ball reached Vini Jr, who played Mbappé through. The Frenchman, with incredible composure, lifted the ball over Remiro to complete his hat-trick. 4-1.
There was still time for Brahim Díaz to score in the 90th minute, but the goal was ruled out for Espí’s offside. The fifth was denied.
Post-match
The result is much more convincing than the debut, although it wasn’t a walk in the park from the start. Real Sociedad competed well during the first half, but Madrid grew after the break and, once they found space, they were ruthless. Mbappé scored three, Bellingham was involved in two goals and Mourinho finally gets a convincing win on his return to the Bernabéu.
