Real Madrid delivered a statement night at the Santiago Bernabéu on January 20, 2026, routing AS Monaco 6-1 in a Champions League group stage fixture, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice early, Vinícius Júnior starring with a goal and two assists, and Jude Bellingham adding a late finish to seal a comprehensive win.
Quick match facts
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
Competition | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, League Phase |
Date | January 20, 2026 |
Venue | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
Final score | Real Madrid 6, AS Monaco 1 |
Real Madrid scorers | Kylian Mbappé (5', 26'), Franco Mastantuono (51'), Thilo Kehrer (own goal, 55'), Vinícius Júnior (63'), Jude Bellingham (80') |
Monaco scorer | Jordan Teze (72') |
How the game unfolded
Real Madrid opened the scoring inside five minutes, a swift team move that ended with Mbappé converting from close range. The French forward doubled his tally on 26 minutes after a flowing attack that exposed Monaco's midfield. The second half became a procession, with Madrid scoring four times in an 18-minute spell to put the result beyond doubt, while Monaco's reply came as a consolation in the 72nd minute.
Key moments included:
- Mbappé's early brace, which set the tone and took advantage of space behind Monaco's midfield,
- Franco Mastantuono's well-timed run and finish to extend the lead after halftime,
- A defensive error turned own goal by Thilo Kehrer that further opened the game,
- Vinícius Júnior's individual brilliance which produced a top-corner strike and two assists,
- Jude Bellingham's composed finish late on to confirm the margin.
Real Madrid answered criticism with a powerful display, and the Bernabéu returned to singing as the goals piled up.
Tactical context and changes
Real Madrid
Under Álvaro Arbeloa, who took charge following earlier upheaval, Madrid were aggressive out of possession and compact in midfield, which allowed quick transitions. The team used width through Vinícius on the left, while Mbappé occupied central channels and finished chances with clinical accuracy. Madrid's pressing forced Monaco into mistakes, and the full backs contributed to overloads on the flanks.
AS Monaco
Monaco arrived with a plan to build from the back, but they were repeatedly exposed by Madrid's vertical passing and high press. Defensive lapses and poor second-ball control compounded their problems, and the visitors struggled to create clear cut chances despite a spell of pressure late in the game that resulted in their only goal.
Player performances, highlights and lowlights
- Kylian Mbappé, two goals, poise and finishing, punished his former club early and helped set the tone,
- Vinícius Júnior, goal and two assists, superb dribbling and directness down the left flank,
- Jude Bellingham, influential in midfield, added a composed finish to round out the scoreline,
- Franco Mastantuono, important attacking runs and a goal that kept pressure on Monaco,
- Thibaut Courtois, important saves at key moments, helped keep the scoreline steady in earlier phases,
- AS Monaco defenders, mixture of brave interventions and costly errors that led to goals.
Analysts pointed to the balance between individual brilliance and collective movement as the reason for Madrid's dominance, while Monaco were criticized for failing to protect the central channels.
Match statistics snapshot
Statistic | Real Madrid | AS Monaco |
|---|---|---|
Possession | 47.6% | 52.4% |
Shot attempts | 17 | 11 |
Shots on target | 4 | 4 |
Saves | 4 | 1 |
Corners | 7 | 3 |
These figures show that while Monaco had more of the ball, Real Madrid were considerably sharper and more efficient in the final third.
Reactions and wider context
Supporters and pundits framed the result in different ways:
- For Madrid fans, the victory was a welcome response after a tumultuous spell that included a cup upset and vocal protests, it restored belief and momentum,
- For Monaco, the defeat highlighted inconsistency in defense and a need to tighten their shape if they are to progress in Europe,
- Neutral commentators saw the match as evidence that form can pivot quickly, with managerial changes and player confidence playing outsized roles.
Arbeloa's side also secured their place among the Champions League top eight with one group game remaining, a significant outcome that alters planning for the final matchday.
What this means going forward
- Real Madrid have a clear path to finish strongly in the group, and the win offers a morale boost ahead of domestic fixtures,
- Monaco must regroup defensively if they are to salvage their European aspirations, and they face pressure to respond in Ligue 1 and in the final group match,
- Individual form, particularly from players like Mbappé and Vinícius, will shape both clubs' transfer and tactical discussions as the season heads into knockout phases and key domestic runs.
Conclusion
The 6-1 scoreline on January 20, 2026, is straightforward, and it masks the mixture of tactical nous, individual moments of quality, and errors that produced it. Real Madrid turned a difficult week into a dominant evening at the Bernabéu, while Monaco were left to examine how a promising campaign can be undone by defensive fragility. The balance of evidence suggests Madrid have regained momentum, but as ever in football, one emphatic win will be measured by what comes next.