Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr inspire Real Madrid to hit six in Monaco demolition

Arbeloa once again placed his trust in Franco Mastantuono, with the 18-year-old starting on the right wing. Real Madrid opened the scoring in the fifth minute, as Mbappe finished after a strong build-up involving Federico Valverde. Twenty minutes later, Mbappe doubled his tally, converting a cross from Vinicius Jr.

Real Madrid continued to control the match, though the first half ended 2-0. Early in the second half, the visitors extended their lead when Vinicius Jr provided another assist, this time for Mastantuono, who scored his first Champions League goal and became the club’s youngest goalscorer in the competition.

Vinicius Jr was involved again four minutes later, as his cross forced Thilo Kehrer into an own goal. The Brazilian then added his own goal shortly after the hour mark to make it 5-0. Monaco pulled one back in the 72nd minute through Jordan Teze, capitalising on a defensive error.

Jude Bellingham completed the scoring in the 80th minute after receiving a through ball from Valverde. The 6-1 win marked Real Madrid’s fifth victory in the Champions League this season. They now sit second in the Swiss Stage with 15 points, level with Bayern Munich but having played one more match.

After the game, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa praised Vinicius Jr for his performance. “Vini Jr. is unstoppable when this stadium is with him and the most dangerous player there is," he said. "We need Vini Jr. if we want to fight for all the trophies. I'm very happy for him because he deserves it and deserves the embrace from all the teammates and the ovation he got from the Bernabéu.

"The hug he gave me was for the whole of Madridismo. It wasn't a hug for the coach but for all the people who have supported him, who have been with him and who have shown their support in difficult moments. It has been a great night for Vini Jr. and for the whole Bernabéu."

Vinicius, who was named Man of the Match, said: “The last few days have been very tough for all my teammates and especially for me, because of the boos and everything that’s been said about me. I’m always in the spotlight, and I don’t want to be there for things off the pitch, I want to be there for what I do on it and for everything I’ve done for this club. But the demands are very high, and I have to deliver every day. I won’t always be at my best technically, but I try to give my all for this club that has given me so much".

Real Madrid will return to La Liga to face third-placed Villarreal on 25 January before taking on Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the final match of the Champions League Swiss Stage on 29 January.