🔥Real Madrid set an unprecedented record in the Champions League after its 6-1 victory against Monaco.
In a dazzling display of football, Real Madrid beat Monaco 6-1 in their Champions League league phase match at the Santiago Bernabéu. This victory not only boosted their qualification, but also allowed Kylian Mbappé to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in the group stage, marking a historic night for the club. The match began with great intensity, as Real Madrid looked to recover from their recent turbulence.
Under new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, the team showed renewed vigor. The fans, who had previously expressed their discontent, witnessed a change of direction that silenced criticism from the beginning. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a calm shot from inside the area, assisted by Federico Valverde. This goal set the tone, showcasing Mbappé’s lethal precision against his former club. The French star’s early goal ignited the Bernabéu crowd.
Monaco tried to respond, but Ansu Fati missed a clear chance in the 19th minute. However, Real Madrid capitalized on a counterattack seven minutes later. Vinícius Júnior generously set up Mbappé for his second goal, doubling the lead and highlighting the team’s fluid offensive synergy. In the first half, Monaco hit the crossbar through Jordan Teze in the 31st minute, but Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save from Fati just before the break.
Real Madrid dominated possession, creating multiple chances and maintaining defensive solidity in the face of Monaco’s sporadic threats. Entering the second half, Real Madrid burst out with energy. Franco Mastantuono scored in the 50th minute with a right-footed shot, assisted by Vinícius Júnior’s second contribution of the night. This goal extended the lead to 3-0, underlining the growing influence of the young Argentine. Just five minutes later, Monaco’s Thilo Kehrer inadvertently deflected a pass from Vinícius Júnior into his own goal, making it 4-0.
Arda Güler’s recovery in midfield started the play, demonstrating Real Madrid’s relentless pressure and their ability to force mistakes from their rivals. Vinícius Júnior, who initially received boos from the home fans, responded forcefully in the 63rd minute. He dribbled past defenders and shot into the top corner, his first Champions League goal of the season, turning the boos into cheers. Monaco scored the consolation goal in the 72nd minute when Jordan Teze took advantage of a loose pass from Courtois.
Despite this setback, Real Madrid’s dominance remained unbreakable, and they continued to press with unwavering determination. Jude Bellingham sealed the win in the 80th minute, dribbling past goalkeeper Philipp Köhn after a precise assist from Valverde. This goal restored the five-goal lead, capping a performance that cemented Real Madrid in the top eight. Mbappé’s double took his tally to 11 goals in just six Champions League games this season, equaling Ronaldo’s record in the group stage of the 2015/16 season.
This achievement puts Mbappé five goals ahead of Erling Haaland, underlining his pivotal role in Madrid’s campaign.
Vinícius Júnior’s outstanding performance, with a goal and three assists, earned him the Player of the Match award. His performance not only silenced the detractors, but also revealed his resilience in the face of recent fan discontent following a period of low team quality. Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut as a Champions League coach was a resounding success.
Appointed after Alonso’s brief mandate, with poor results, including elimination from the Copa del Rey, Arbeloa’s tactics focused on attack and defensive organization, obtaining immediate results. The atmosphere of the Bernabéu changed drastically throughout the match. The initial whistles directed at the players and even president Florentino Pérez gave way to chants and applause as the goals were scored. This victory seems to have mended the deteriorated relations with the fans. Young talents like Mastantuono and Arda Güler shone with their own light.
Mastantuono’s goal and assist, along with Güler’s creative passing and recoveries, portend a promising future for the Real Madrid squad amid injuries and fluctuations in performance. Monaco, despite their prowess in Ligue 1, found themselves outmatched. Coach Adi Hütter’s team had difficulty containing Madrid’s forwards, and defensive lapses proved costly.
Teze’s goal offered little consolation in a match that exposed their vulnerabilities. This result brings Real Madrid closer to direct qualification for the round of 16, with one round left in the league phase. His fifth victory in the competition reinforces his aspiration for a place in the top eight, avoiding the playoff route. Mbappé’s feat, which equals the record, has parallels with Ronaldo’s era at Madrid.
With 31 goals in total this season, Mbappé’s adaptation to La Liga and European football continues to impress, positioning him as a contender for individual accolades. After the match, Mbappé expressed mixed feelings about his boyhood club, but emphasized the team’s success. “It’s special, but the three points are the most important thing,” he said, while apologizing to the Monegasque fans for his celebrations, demonstrating sportsmanship in the midst of the victory. Vinícius Júnior responded to the boos, affirming his commitment to the club.
“I play for Real Madrid with my heart; the support of the fans drives me,” he said. His performance reaffirmed his status as a key player in the Madrid attack. Arbeloa praised the team’s resilience. “We have hit rock bottom, but tonight we showed our potential,” he commented. This victory could mark a turning point, with the upcoming matches testing their consistency in both domestic and European football. In short, this 6-1 rout not only marks a milestone for Real Madrid’s season, but also engraves Mbappé’s name alongside legends.
As the Champions League progresses, Madrid’s combination of youth and experience once again positions it as a formidable contender.