The Crisis is Cancelled
The dark clouds hanging over the Santiago Bernabéu evaporated emphatically as Real Madrid vs Monaco ended in a merciless 6-1 rout for the defending champions. Following a turbulent week that saw the dismissal of Xabi Alonso and a Copa del Rey exit, interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa needed a statement performance. He got one.
Kylian Mbappé broke personal records, and Vinicius Junior produced a playmaker’s masterclass, ensuring Real Madrid took a giant leap toward direct qualification for the Champions League Round of 16.
A Bernabéu Blitz
Despite missing key starters like Militão and Rüdiger, Madrid’s makeshift lineup—featuring Valverde and Camavinga as full-backs—overwhelmed the visitors.
- The Opener (5′): Madrid wasted no time. Franco Mastantuono crossed low, Valverde knocked it back, and Mbappé swept home to calm the nerves early.
- The Double (26′): Arda Güler sliced open the defense to find Vinicius, who unselfishly squared for Mbappé to tap in his second. This marked Mbappé’s 11th UCL goal of the season, a new personal best.
- The Floodgates (51′-64′): The second half was a procession. Mastantuono scored his first UCL goal, Vinicius forced an own goal from Thilo Kehrer, and then the Brazilian scored a solo stunner himself to make it 5-0.
- The Finish (80′): After Teze pulled one back for Monaco, Jude Bellingham added the cherry on top, rounding the keeper to seal the 6-1 scoreline.
Vinicius Junior
While Mbappé grabbed the headlines with his goals, Vinicius Junior was the architect of destruction. The Brazilian winger was directly involved in four goals: scoring one, providing two assists, and forcing the own goal. His ability to dismantle the Monaco defense allowed Madrid to play with a freedom that had been missing in recent weeks.
Top 8 in Sight
Nova Sports News analysts note that this victory pushes Real Madrid to 15 points in the league phase. Currently sitting comfortably within the qualification zone, a result in their final match against Benfica should guarantee a Top 8 finish, allowing them to bypass the treacherous playoff round. For Arbeloa, this win isn’t just three points; it’s a restoration of order.
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