Real Madrid delivered a masterclass at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, dismantling Monaco 6-1 in what was Alvaro Arbeloa’s inaugural Champions League match as manager.
Vinicius Junior stole the spotlight with a perfect performance to silence recent critics, while Kylian Mbappe continued his lethal European form with a first-half brace.
Despite a minor defensive lapse that allowed Jordan Teze to score for the visitors, Madrid’s clinical counter-attacking and a late Jude Bellingham strike capped off their most impressive display of the season.
Thibaut Courtois – 6/10
The Belgian veteran had a relatively quiet night as Monaco struggled to test him directly. He was helpless to stop the consolation goal after a defensive mix-up and watched one effort rattle off his crossbar, but otherwise enjoyed a comfortable evening.
Federico Valverde – 8/10
Filling a deeper role with discipline, the Uruguayan was excellent in transition. He balanced his defensive duties with sharp offensive bursts, providing two key assists and proving vital to the team’s structural integrity.
Raul Asencio – 6/10
It was a steady if unremarkable 45 minutes for the youngster. He performed his basic duties well enough but was replaced at the break after failing to truly impose himself on the game or find consistency with his passing.
Dean Huijsen – 6/10
The defender was strong in the air and composed in possession for the majority of the match. However, his rating took a slight hit due to his failure to clear the ball effectively during the scramble that led to Monaco’s solitary goal.
Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10
Operating as a makeshift left-back, Camavinga looked natural and energetic. He was positionally sound, providing a vital block in the second half and proving that he remains a reliable utility man for Arbeloa’s tactical setup.
Arda Guler – 8/10
The Turkish starlet enjoyed one of his finest outings in a Madrid shirt. He was the creative engine in the middle, carving out three major opportunities and recording a well-deserved assist in a highly influential performance.
Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10
While he was effective at anchoring the midfield and breaking up play in the center, he looked less comfortable when forced to drop into the defensive line. It was a functional performance, though lacking his usual total dominance.
Jude Bellingham – 8/10
Bellingham responded to recent crowd pressure with a tireless display. After working hard in the buildup and missing an earlier chance, he finally got his reward with a sophisticated finish to score Madrid’s sixth of the night.
Franco Mastantuono – 7/10
The young attacker’s work rate was essential to Madrid’s high-pressing success. He ran tirelessly to create space for his teammates and was clinical when his chance arrived, slotting home the third goal of the game.
Kylian Mbappe – 9/10
The Frenchman was in a predatory mood, netting two goals before the half-hour mark to break Monaco’s spirit. His movement was sharper than in previous weeks, and he showed an increased willingness to contribute to the team’s collective defensive effort.
Vinicius Jr – 10/10
A flawless performance from the Brazilian, who was simply on another level. By scoring a stunning goal and providing a hat-trick of assists, he completely dominated the Monaco defense and issued the perfect response to his detractors.
Substitutes & Manager
Dani Ceballos – 7/10
Introduced at halftime to solidify the midfield, he brought much-needed composure and helped the home side dictate the tempo for the remainder of the contest.
Gonzalo Garcia – 6/10
He provided fresh energy in the final stages after replacing Mastantuono, though the game was already well-won and he had few opportunities to make a significant impact.
Alvaro Arbeloa – 9/10
It was a dream European debut for the new boss. He managed to restore the team’s “Champions League mojo,” overseeing a tactical setup that was devastating on the break and defensively resilient enough to secure a massive win.