The game came surrounded by mistrust on both sides, but with far more weight on Real Madrid. The team were coming off a chaotic week, with heavy defeats, boos at the Bernabéu and a clear sense of internal instability. Monaco were also not in a good moment, still searching for identity under Pocognoli and showing clear defensive fragility, but all the focus was on Real: either they responded on the pitch, or the crisis would grow even louder.
The atmosphere was clear from the very first minute, when Vinícius Jr touched the ball and was met with whistles from the stands. Even so, Real started sharp, intense and with a clear idea: attacking down the right through Mastantuono and Valverde. And that is exactly where the opening goal came from. Mastantuono receives a three-toe pass from Valverde, holds the ball, draws the marker and lays it back to the Uruguayan inside the box. Valverde, slightly off balance, manages to slip the ball into the right space for Mbappé to finish first time, placed, with no chance for the goalkeeper. A simple goal, but very well constructed.
Real Madrid stayed on top and threatened again through Vini and Mastantuono, while Monaco tried to respond by attacking the space in behind, taking advantage of a very high defensive line. Even so, Real were clearly the side with more control and clarity on the ball. The second goal comes from a move of outstanding collective quality: Camavinga breaks the press, Arda Güler plays a beautiful vertical pass into Vini Jr’s run, the Brazilian accelerates down the left and, instead of forcing the shot, squares with the outside of his foot for Mbappé to tap in. Clean, quick and ruthless. Mbappé gets his second, but the real highlight is how the move is conceived and executed.
In the second half, Real did not slow down. At 52 minutes, Bellingham finds Vini Jr inside the box. The Brazilian feels contact, stays on his feet and, with composure, waits for the right moment to release the ball to Mastantuono, who finishes into the net. This is maturity: Vini could have shot, but he chooses the best option.
Shortly after, Vini is decisive again. He receives on the left, looks to deliver into the box for Güler, and Kehner, sliding in to cut it out, ends up diverting the ball into his own goal. Another goal with Vini directly involved.
The most symbolic moment of the night arrives at 63 minutes. Vini Jr receives outside the area, drives forward, shifts onto his right and unleashes a powerful, placed shot into the top corner. A great goal, not only for the execution, but for its emotional weight: his first goal in this Champions League campaign, in a game where he started by being booed and ended up deciding.
Monaco do manage to reduce the score after a rare Real mistake. Courtois plays short, Ceballos miscontrols, tries to solve it facing his own goal and gifts the ball to Teze, who accepts the present and scores. A completely offered goal, in a game that was already decided.
Even then, Real did not take their foot off the gas. Late on, Ceballos wins the ball in midfield, Valverde releases Bellingham into space and the Englishman, with calm, dribbles past the goalkeeper to make it six. A goal that seals a dominant performance and gives a different feel to the club’s moment.
Post-match
This game was more than three points or a big scoreline. It was a response. Real Madrid needed to show something beyond the result, and they did. Attitude, personality and a clear idea on the pitch.
The biggest positive was how the collective functioned. Real were patient when required, accelerated at the right moments and exploited the weaknesses of a Monaco side that were defensively fragile and low on confidence. There were errors, especially in the build-up, but they were isolated moments in a match where the team were almost always comfortable.
Individually, several players come out strengthened. Vini Jr, under heavy pressure off the pitch, responded on it, constantly involved and decisive without forcing actions. Mbappé delivered what is expected of him on big stages, while players like Valverde, Bellingham and Mastantuono provided balance, intensity and quality to Real’s game.
In the end, the 6-1 does not erase recent problems, but it changes the mood. It brings confidence, restores some connection with the fans and, above all, reminds everyone that this Real Madrid, when mentally aligned, still have a frightening attacking capacity.