UCL: Mbappé double powers Real Madrid rout under Arbeloa in champions league debut

Kylian Mbappé struck twice and Jude Bellingham added his first goal of 2026 as Real Madrid swept aside Monaco in a commanding Champions League victory, marking a convincing European debut for new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Sport360NG reports.

Appointed on 12 January following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal after defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, Arbeloa watched his side assert control early and never relinquish it, strengthening their bid for a place in the last 16.

Real needed just five minutes to open the scoring, with Mbappé once again proving Monaco’s tormentor. A sharp run down the right from teenager Franco Mastantuono ended with captain Federico Valverde finding Mbappé, who drilled a low right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The France forward, who began his professional career at Monaco as a 14-year-old in 2013, has now scored 13 goals in 15 matches against his former club across spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Mbappé doubled the lead in the 26th minute, finishing off an impressive team move that featured a deft flick from Eduardo Camavinga and a low cross from Vinícius Júnior. The goal was his 11th of the current Champions League campaign, making him the competition’s leading scorer.

Real extended their advantage six minutes into the second half when Mastantuono, 18, netted his first Champions League goal, finishing confidently after more incisive work from Vinícius. The Brazilian winger then forced a fourth, with his driven cross turned into the net by Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer.

Vinícius, who had faced criticism from sections of the crowd in recent weeks, capped an outstanding display by blasting in Real’s fifth, the ball crashing in off the underside of the crossbar.

Monaco briefly reduced the deficit after Real lost possession while playing out from defence, allowing Jordan Teze, who had earlier struck the crossbar, to score. Any hopes of a comeback were swiftly ended when Bellingham rounded goalkeeper Philipp Köhn to restore Real’s five-goal cushion.

The victory lifts Real to second place in the Champions League standings with 15 points from seven matches. A positive result away to Benfica on 28 January would confirm direct qualification for the knockout stage and avoid a play-off.

For Arbeloa, who had been in charge of Real’s B team before his promotion, the result offered a welcome boost after a mixed start that included a shock Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete, followed by a La Liga win over Levante.

Monaco, meanwhile, remain 20th on nine points and must defeat Juventus at home in their final group game to keep their Champions League hopes alive.