In a night that felt more like a healing session than a football match, Real Madrid dismantled AS Monaco 6-1 to surge into second place in the Champions League standings. Under the guidance of new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, making his European debut following the sacking of Xabi Alonso, the 15-time champions delivered a performance of clinical brilliance and emotional catharsis.
Just days after being whistled by his own supporters during a La Liga clash with Levante, Vinicius Jr. reclaimed his throne at the Santiago Bernabeu. While he maintained a conspicuous low profile during celebrations, his impact was undeniable:
The assists: He provided the final pass for Mbappe’s second, Mastantuono’s strike, and forced Thilo Kehrer into an own goal.
The solo goal: In the 63rd minute, the Brazilian bypassed three defenders before firing a thunderous shot into the top corner, prompting the crowd to finally chant his name.
The embrace: After scoring, Vinicius headed to the touchline for a meaningful embrace with Arbeloa.
I think that more than embracing me, Vinicius was embracing all Real Madrid fans around the globe. Everyone is very happy about the partnership between Vini and the fansAlvaro Arbeloa
| Minute | Goal Scorer | Assistant | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5' | Kylian Mbappé | F. Valverde | Low finish to settle the nerves. |
| 26' | Kylian Mbappé | Vinícius Jr. | His 11th UCL goal of the season. |
| 51' | F. Mastantuono | Vinícius Jr. | First-ever UCL goal for the 18-year-old. |
| 55' | Thilo Kehrer (OG) | — | Deflected cross by Vinícius. |
| 63' | Vinícius Jr. | — | Extraordinary solo run and finish. |
| 72' | Jordan Teze | — | Consolation goal for Monaco. |
| 80' | Jude Bellingham | F. Valverde | His first goal of the 2026 calendar year. |
Jude Bellingham capped the night by rounding the keeper for the sixth goal. His celebration; a drinking gesture, was a direct response to recent tabloid rumours regarding his off-field habits.
A lot of people say a lot of things. You can cry about it and moan... or you can just roll with it and enjoy it. I know the truth. It’s nice to have a bit of a joke.Jude Bellingham
With this victory, Madrid moves into a commanding position to secure a top-eight finish and bypass the knockout-phase playoffs.
| Pos | Team | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 21 | +18 |
| 2 | Real Madrid | 15 | +12 |
| 3 | Bayern Munich | 15 | +10 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 | Monaco | 9 | -4 |