From Boos to Brilliance: Vinícius and Mbappé Star in Real Madrid’s 6-1 Rout of Monaco

Real Madrid produced a commanding display in the UEFA Champions League with a 6-1 victory over Monaco at the Santiago Bernabeu, powered by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. The emphatic win marked Alvaro Arbeloa’s first Champions League match in charge and strengthened Madrid’s position in the league phase as they closed in on qualification for the last 16.

Mbappe made an instant impact against his former club Monaco, scoring inside the opening five minutes. A quick move involving Franco Mastantuono and Federico Valverde opened up space for Mbappe, who finished calmly into the bottom corner. Mbappe’s familiarity with Monaco’s defence was evident, as he once again tormented the side where his professional journey began.

Match Details :

• Match: Real Madrid vs Monaco
• Competition: UEFA Champions League
• Final Score: Real Madrid 6-1 Monaco
• Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
• Head Coach: Alvaro Arbeloa
• Key Players: Vinicius, Mbappe
• Madrid Goals: Mbappe (2), Vinicius, Mastantuono, Bellingham, Own Goal
• Monaco Goals: Jordan Teze
• Man of the Match: Vinicius
• Madrid Standing: 2nd place

Mbappe’s Monaco Masterclass Continues

Mbappe doubled Real Madrid’s advantage in the 26th minute following a flowing team move that highlighted the team’s attacking rhythm. Eduardo Camavinga sparked the play in midfield before Vinicius accelerated down the left and delivered a low cross that Mbappe converted from close range. The goal underlined the growing understanding between Vinicius and Mbappe, a partnership that has become central to Madrid’s Champions League campaign.

Mbappe now boasts an exceptional record against Monaco, with the forward repeatedly delivering decisive moments against his former club. He remains the top scorer in this season’s Champions League and continues to lead Madrid’s attack with authority and consistency.

Monaco had brief moments of resistance, with Jordan Teze striking the crossbar before half-time, but Real Madrid maintained control and entered the break with a comfortable two-goal lead.

Vinicius Silences the Crowd with Star Performance

Vinicius faced early boos from sections of the home crowd following recent underwhelming performances, but the Brazilian responded in emphatic fashion. His influence grew as the match progressed, and he became the creative heartbeat of Madrid’s attack. Early in the second half, Vinicius played a decisive role in the third goal, threading a perfectly weighted pass to 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, who finished confidently for his first Champions League goal.

Vinicius continued to torment Monaco’s defence, forcing an own goal when his low cross was diverted into the net by Thilo Kehrer. Moments later, Vinicius crowned his performance with a spectacular goal of his own, driving forward and smashing a powerful shot off the underside of the crossbar. By then, the boos had faded, replaced by applause from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Monaco managed a consolation goal after Real Madrid lost possession while playing out from the back, allowing Jordan Teze to score. However, any hope of a comeback was short-lived. Jude Bellingham restored Madrid’s five-goal cushion with a composed finish after rounding the goalkeeper, scoring his first goal of 2026.

Vinicius ended the match with a goal, three assists, and involvement in an own goal, earning the man-of-the-match award. His connection with Mbappe was evident throughout the match, with both players frequently combining and supporting one another in attack.

The result leaves Real Madrid second in the Champions League table with 15 points from seven matches. A positive result away against Benfica in the final league-phase fixture would guarantee direct qualification for the knockout rounds and avoid a two-legged playoff. Monaco, currently 20th, must win their final match against Juventus to keep their European hopes alive.

For Arbeloa, the victory offered a major confidence boost following a turbulent start to his managerial tenure. After replacing Xabi Alonso earlier this month, Arbeloa has now overseen a statement performance in Europe, with Mbappe and Vinicius leading Real Madrid’s resurgence on the continental stage.