Real Madrid thrashed Monaco 6–1 UEFA Champions League at the Bernabéu, with Mbappé and Vinícius starring.
The Santiago Bernabéu was awash in white again on the night of 20 January 2026, but this night felt different — not just another routine European Tuesday, but a release valve for a club under pressure. Real Madrid’s 6–1 obliteration of Monaco was raw, emphatic and uneven in its beauty, a performance that read like a collective exhale after a tense patch of football that had seen Galácticos and critics at each other’s throats.
From the first whistle, Madrid played with the sort of fluid, attacking confidence that had been intermittently missing this season. Monaco arrived with ambition and tactical intent, but were swiftly overwhelmed by the champions’ momentum and positional superiority. By night’s end, Real Madrid’s dismantling of the visitors was less a surprise result than a statement of purpose.
A Match That Mattered
This wasn’t just another group stage fixture; it was a chance for Real to steady themselves in a campaign marked by managerial change, domestic stumbles and a Bernabéu crowd that has quickly become demanding. The result sends a clear message — they are still a European force, capable of tearing teams apart in waves.
Monaco, for their part, arrived with a tactical shape designed to suffocate space between the lines and force Madrid wide. Early on, though, they were punished for it.
Quickfire Openers Set the Tone
Real Madrid’s tempo from minute one was striking — aggressive in transition and ruthless in execution. Kylian Mbappé, facing his former club, embodied that edge. He struck twice inside the first half-hour, first with a cool finish from the edge of the area and then with another clinical move, pinning Monaco back and electrifying the home crowd.
Those early goals weren’t flukes — they were products of intense attacking phases that exploited Monaco’s high defensive line and invited pressure. Madrid’s combination of verticality through Mbappé, and creative overload down the right through Vinícius Jr., had defenders scrambling before the game had truly settled.
Control, Creativity, and a Cascade of Goals
The second half unfolded as a testament to Madrid’s level of control. Franco Mastantuono added a third right after the break with a finish that was both balanced and composed. Moments later, an own goal from Thilo Kehrer — unfortunate but telling of the pressure — made it 4–0.
Vinícius, who entered the night under a cloud of spectator discontent, became the defining figure of the evening. His third goal — a solo strike that threaded through a crowded defence — and three assists, had a Bernabéu crowd turning fervent supporters as the game progressed.
Monaco’s Jordan Teze managed a consolatory strike midway through the second period, a reminder that even in collapse there is competitive spirit. But Jude Bellingham’s composed finish late on sealed the emphatic margin, capping a display that felt as comprehensive as it was cathartic.
Tactical Reflection
Tactically, Real Madrid struck a rare balance: vertical threat without losing shape. Their pressing moments were timely, often forcing Monaco into hurried build-ups that Madrid exploited immediately. The interplay between central midfield and the wide forwards showed a clarity that had occasionally been missing this season.
Monaco’s approach, bold in outline but brittle in execution, struggled to sustain any rhythm once Madrid scored. Their midfield, expected to act as a buffer, was consistently bypassed. The result was a night where weaknesses were magnified by Madrid’s ruthless efficiency.
What This Result Means Now
For Real Madrid, this victory boosts their position in the group and restores a bit of European swagger. It is a reminder that, when in sync, their attack can still operate at an elite level. Monaco, meanwhile, must regroup; this loss leaves their qualification hopes hanging by fine margins and underlines the gulf that can exist in a competition where a single night can decide narratives.
There was rhythm in every pass, intent in every run, and when the echo of 6–1 settled over the Bernabéu, a clear truth remained: Real Madrid can still carve through Europe with devastating effect — especially when their brightest stars find form on the biggest nights.