Real Madrid 6-1 AS Monaco
Real Madrid knew they needed a quick start when they faced AS Monaco to calm a tense Bernabeu that showed frustration at the weekend, and not only did they start quickly, but they kept the tempo high and the goals flowing all night. Los Blancos have secured a place in the Round of 16 as a Top 8 loser.
After just five minutes, Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring. A neat interplay between Franco Mastantuono and Fede Valverde down the right set him up on the edge of the box for a free kick, which he slotted into the corner. Real Madrid were playing high tempo and leaving Vinicius Junior and Mbappe wide and high for the counter attack, which continued to hurt the French side.
Monaco were causing their own problems, with Ansu Fati alone in the penalty area, but unable to connect cleanly with a free-kick in the penalty area. Real Madrid’s pressing was intense but intense in the middle of the third, and Monaco were able to play with ease. Folarin Balogun was also given a chance just inside the area, but he couldn’t beat Thibaut Courtois.
The best goal of the game turned things in Real Madrid’s favor just before half an hour. Eduardo Camavinga was found just inside on the left flank by Vinicius, and his clever strike inside Arda Guler opened things up. The Turkish star made his debut into the path of a dashing Vinicius down the left channel, who found Mbappe with an open net, splitting the defense and the goalkeeper with an off-foot pass into the box. He did not celebrate his 11th game in six games in the Champions League against his former club.
Monaco continued to cause problems before the break, with Magnes Akiouche latching on to a loose ball, but Courtois was smart about it. Jordan Teze then cracked the post with a stunning effort from distance, this time beaten by Courtois.
Real Madrid struck in full force as Monaco fell
The second half quickly became a procession, as Real Madrid came out of the enemy’s field, the third goal came six minutes after the break. Dani Ceballos came into midfield from the bench, Raul Asencio came out with Aurelien Tchouameni in defense, winning the ball back. Vinicius caught the ball on the edge of the box, before sliding it to the right of Mastantuono, who found the far right corner. In doing so, he became Real Madrid’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League.
Five minutes later, Ceballos again found Vinicius on the left side, and another off-foot ball between the goalkeeper and the defense was put in by Thilo Kehrer for Vinicius’ third assist of the game. He would get his goal after 65 minutes, driving past two defenders from left to right, before firing into the top corner before the keeper got close to it.
Monaco finally got on the scoresheet with 15 minutes to go, though it was a Real Madrid draw. As Courtois, Tchouameni and Ceballos squared it up in their own box, the latter flicked towards Teze, who found a simple finish to reduce the gap. The game was open and free now, Monaco always giving the ball to Real Madrid. Valverde’s pass, helping the Uruguayan’s second, found Jude Bellingham to score this time, who rounded the keeper and slotted home to end the contest.
Although in the first half Monaco cut off Real Madrid as easily as Los Blancos did the Monegasques, the second half would have been a pleasure to watch in Arbeloa. His team repeatedly pressed Monaco to win the ball back in dangerous areas, and when they did, Real Madrid looked as fluid and lethal as they did during his playing days. It will not be lost on the Bernabeu or the Arbeloa that all three players who were heavily whistled on Saturday – Bellingham, Valverde and Vinicius – responded by playing.
In terms of standings, Real Madrid is currently second in the table by 15 points, with a goal difference of +11. It puts them in a position to go to the last game of the league stage, and they will be guaranteed a place in the Round of 16 with a bye if they beat Benfica in their last game. Monaco dropped to 20th place, with a gap of two points to 25th.
