Real Madrid routed AS Monaco 6-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on January 20, 2026, in a Champions League league-phase match that saw Kylian Mbappé score twice, Vinícius Júnior produce a man-of-the-match display, and Álvaro Arbeloa enjoy a convincing early night in European competition as Real's head coach. The rout left Monaco stunned, while Madrid's players and home crowd finished the night buoyed after a tense run of results and managerial change.
Match at a glance
Real Madrid tore into Monaco from the start, with Mbappé opening the scoring inside five minutes and doubling the lead before half-time. The floodgates opened after the break, Franco Mastantuono added a third, an own goal followed, Vinícius curled in another, and Jude Bellingham completed the scoring to make it 6-1. Monaco’s only reply came late, a consolation from Jordan Teze.
Key facts
- Score: Real Madrid 6, AS Monaco 1
- Date: January 20, 2026
- Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
- Notable scorers: Kylian Mbappé (2), Vinícius Júnior, Franco Mastantuono, Jude Bellingham, plus one own goal
- Managerial context: Álvaro Arbeloa in charge for Real Madrid in his first Champions League match with the senior side
The sequence and momentum
Mbappé’s early brace set the tone, both finishes clinical and well taken, and crucially they arrived before Monaco could settle into the game. Madrid's attacks were varied, mixing direct runs from Mbappé and Vinícius with quick combinations through the midfield.
The second half amplified Madrid’s control. Mastantuono’s composed finish, the unfortunate own goal, and Vinícius’s individual strike all underlined a side suddenly confident on the ball, while Monaco struggled to contain fast switches of play. Bellingham’s late finish put a gloss on a ruthless performance from the hosts.
"Monaco helped me achieve my dream of being a professional footballer," said Mbappé in pre-match comments, a reminder of the personal dimension to this fixture.
Tactical analysis
Real Madrid, balance and tempo
Arbeloa set his side up to press high in phases, while allowing full-backs to invert and the front three to interchange. That approach created pockets for Mbappé and Vinícius to exploit behind Monaco’s defensive line. The midfield, with Federico Valverde drifting into advanced channels, supplied the vertical balls that unlocked space.
Monaco, shape and shortcomings
Monaco arrived with intentions to defend compactly and hit on counters, but their back line was repeatedly stretched by Madrid’s pace. Turnovers in midfield and sloppier pass choices under pressure proved costly, and individual errors were punished quickly in the Bernabéu environment.
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Real Madrid (approx. shape): 4-3-3
Mbappé Mastantuono Vinícius
Valverde Bellingham Güler
Carvajal Huijsen Rudiger Camavinga
Courtois
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(The above is a simplified formation snapshot, reflecting the attacking emphasis and fluid front three.)
Stats snapshot
Statistic | Real Madrid | AS Monaco |
|---|---|---|
Possession | 47.6% | 52.4% |
Shot attempts | 17 | 11 |
Shots on target | 4 | 4 |
Corners | 7 | 3 |
Saves | 4 | 1 |
Yellow cards | 1 | 1 |
The numbers show Monaco controlled a little more possession, but Madrid’s attacking efficiency and quality of chances told the story.
Standout performances
- Kylian Mbappé: clinical, composed, and decisive, his brace stunned his former club and set the match on a dangerous course. His movement and finishing were first-rate.
- Vinícius Júnior: electric on the left, productive with a goal and multiple goal-creating actions, he was the technical heartbeat of Madrid’s attack.
- Franco Mastantuono: earned plaudits for a composed second-half finish and intelligent positioning.
- Defensive lapses: Monaco’s back line looked vulnerable to rapid transitions, and a costly error turned into an own goal.
Multiple viewpoints: what this result means
- From Real Madrid’s view, the scoreline was vindication. The club had undergone a managerial change earlier in January and needed a confidence-inspiring European performance. On the night, the team delivered a complete attacking display, showing depth and firepower.
- From Monaco’s perspective, the loss exposes vulnerabilities in defence and in-game management. Despite some possession advantage, they were unable to convert control into protection of their box, and their counter-attacking plan failed to gain traction.
- Neutral analysts will see a team (Real) capable of explosive attacking moments, but still prone to defensive risks when trying to play out from the back. For Monaco, the defeat is a warning that tactical tweaks are needed if they are to progress or consolidate in European competition.
Fans, controversy and atmosphere
The night carried storylines beyond the score. Vinícius, who had faced booing and incidents in recent domestic matches, produced one of his most commanding Bernabéu displays, and the atmosphere turned celebratory by full time. There were also moments of player reaction and celebration that drew attention, illustrating how personal narratives and team form intersect in high-profile fixtures.
Implications and what comes next
Real Madrid’s emphatic win improves their position and morale in the Champions League league stage, while giving Arbeloa momentum as he settles into the top job. For Monaco, immediate focus will be recovery, defensive adjustments, and salvaging their European campaign.
Both teams move quickly back into domestic schedules, and tactical responses are likely to appear in the next round of fixtures as managers seek corrections and continuity.
Conclusion
A 6-1 scoreline does not happen by accident. Real Madrid combined individual brilliance with high-tempo collective play, while Monaco paid the price for errors at the back and a failed tactical execution. The result reshapes short-term narratives for both clubs: it gives Real a headline-grabbing night and a morale boost, and it forces Monaco to rebuild confidence and address glaring defensive weaknesses.
By David Anderson, veteran sports correspondent