Kylian Mbappe struck twice and Jude Bellingham also found the net as Real Madrid delivered a commanding victory over Monaco in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first UEFA Champions League match in charge.
Arbeloa, appointed on 12 January following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso after defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, watched his side ease to victory to strengthen their hopes of reaching the last 16.
The 15-time European champions needed just five minutes to open the scoring, with former Monaco forward Mbappe once again proving decisive against his old club. A sharp run down the right by Franco Mastantuono ended with captain Federico Valverde supplying Mbappe, who calmly swept a low right-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Mbappe, who began his career at Monaco as a 14-year-old in 2013, has now scored 13 goals in 15 matches against them for Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid. He is also the competition’s leading scorer this season and added his 11th Champions League goal in the 26th minute to double Real’s lead.
After urging supporters before kick-off not to boo the team following recent struggles, Mbappe capped a slick passing move involving a deft flick from Eduardo Camavinga and a low cross from Vinicius Jr.
Real made it 3–0 shortly after the break when 18-year-old Mastantuono finished first time for his maiden Champions League goal, again following excellent work from Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian then forced a fourth as his driven cross was turned into his own net by former West Ham defender Thilo Kehrer, before crowning a standout display by firing in a fifth via the underside of the crossbar.
Monaco briefly responded after Real lost possession while playing out from the back, allowing Jordan Teze –who had earlier struck the woodwork to score. However, Bellingham quickly restored the five-goal cushion, rounding goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to net his first goal of 2026.
The win leaves Real Madrid second in the table on 15 points from seven games, with a positive result away to Benfica on 28 January securing qualification for the last 16 and avoiding the play-off round.
Arbeloa’s tenure had begun shakily with a surprise Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete, before a 2–0 La Liga win over Levante.
Monaco, meanwhile, sit 20th on nine points and must beat Juventus at home to secure a Champions League play-off place.
