AS Monaco lose to a highly efficient Real Madrid | OneFootball

In a match with several scoring opportunities for both sides, the Rouge et Blanc had to contend with the ultra-efficient performance of the Merengues on this 7th matchday of the Champions League.

Facing Real Madrid, AS Monaco’s players created several scoring opportunities but were thwarted by the efficiency and talent of the hosts (6-1) on this seventh matchday of the Champions League, which was played at the Bernabéu in front of President Dmitry Rybolovlev, who was present alongside Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez. Monaco will attempt to qualify for the playoffs in their final match, at home against Juventus.. Recap ✍️

The context 📅

In a favorable position to reach the Champions League playoffs after their win over Galatasaray,The AS Monaco players headed to the pitch of Real Madrid, 15-time winners of the competition. It presented an enormous obstacle, but one that nevertheless brings back fond memories for the club from the Principality, thanks to a legendary qualification against the Galacticos in 2004, and which they would need to draw inspiration from in order to leave Spain with a good result.

The XI 👥

For this European clash, Sébastien Pocognoli slightly modified his system, returning to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Ansu Fati was positioned in support of Folarin Balogun, who will would lead the line alone. Maghnes Akliouche and Aleksandr Golovin would play on the wings, while Thilo Kehrer was back in central defence alongside Eric Dier.

The scenario 🎞

In front of more than 2,500 Monaco fans at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Rouge et Blanc played with confidence. Unfortunately, on their first opportunity, Real Madrid opened the scoring through Kylian Mbappé (1-0, 5′). The response came immediately from Folarin Balogun who, on a counter-attack, shot wide (8′), just as Franco Mastantuono did on the following play (9′).

Opportunities to equalize

Real Madrid had possession, but AS Monaco proved dangerous with every foray into the opposing half, as exemplified by Caio Henrique’s cross, which was met by Ansu Fati, whose shot went over the bar (19′). Shortly afterward, Philipp Köhn was alert to stop an unintentional deflection from Eric Dier (21′). Real Madrid proved more clinical, though, and on a quick counter-attack, the academy-trained striker scored his second goal from close range (2-0, 26′).

The Monégasques face a clinical opponent

The Rouge et Blanc, however, did not give up, and Jordan Teze, recalling his match against Manchester City, unleashed a long-range shot that crashed against the crossbar (31′). This was before attempts by Maghnes Akliouche and the American number 9 were both saved by Thibaut Courtois (36′, 42′). Real responded before half-time through Jude Bellingham, whose header went over the bar (45+1′).

From the restart, the home side pressed forward and Franco Mastantuono added a third with a low, angled shot (3-0, 51′) then Thilo Kehrer scored an unfortunate own goal to make it 4-0 in the 55th minute, before Vinicius found the top corner (5-0, 63′). In between, Aleksandr Golovin had forced the Real Madrid goalkeeper into a diving save (57′). The Rouge et Blanc tried to salvage some pride and were rewarded when Jordan Teze capitalized on a poor clearance from the opposition (5-1, 72′).

Bounce back against Le Havre and Juventus

Shortly afterward, George Ilenikhena came on as a substitute and made his mark with a powerful shot that narrowly missed the post (78′). Jude Bellingham had more success, and after rounding Köhn, he scored (6-1, 81′). They will now need to bounce back in Ligue 1 this Saturday (7 PM) against Le Havre, and then four days later against Juventus at the Stade Louis-II to secure their place in the Champions League play-offs.

Key moments 🎥

5′: Mbappé opens the scoring with a shot from the penalty spot (1-0) 8′: Balogun breaks away on the counter-attack, just on the edge of offside, but shoots wide 9′: Mastantuono curls his shot, but it goes wide 19′: Fati connects with a cross from Caio Henrique, but his shot goes wide 21′: Köhn makes a save on the line from an unintentional deflection by Dier 26′: Mbappé scores his second, tapping in from close range (2-0) 31′: Teze rattles the crossbar with a long-range shot 36′: Courtois punches away a shot from Akliouche 42′: Balogun’s left-footed shot is caught by Courtois 45+1′: Bellingham’s header goes over the bar 51′: Mastantuono’s cross-shot finds the far corner of the net (3-0) 55′: An own goal is scored by Kehrer, who deflects a Vinicius cross into his own net (4-0) 57′: Another save by Courtois from a shot by Golovin 63′: Vinicius finds the top corner (5-0) 72′: Teze capitalizes on a Real Madrid error to score with his right foot (5-1) 78′: Ilenikhena’s long-range shot narrowly misses the post 81′: Bellingham dribbles past Köhn and scores into the empty net (6-1)

🗓️ Match details:

Tuesday, January 20 2026 (21:00) – Stade Santiago Bernabéu

Champions League – Matchday 7: Real Madrid 6-1 AS Monaco

Halftime: 2-0

Goals: Mbappé (5′), (26e’), Mastantuono (51′), Kehrer (OG) (55′), Vinicius (63′), Bellingham (81′) for Real Madrid; Teze (72′) for AS Monaco

Bookings: Bellingham (44′) for Real Madrid; Zakaria (33′) for AS Monaco

Real Madrid: Courtois – Valverde ©︎ (Mesonero, 83′), Asencio (Ceballos, 46′), Huijsen, Camavinga – Güler, Tchouameni, Bellingham – Mastantuono (G. Garcia, 71′), Mbappé, Vinicius

Substitutes: Lunin, Gonzalez, Alaba, Carvajal, F.Garcia, Ceballos, Mesonero, Pol Fortuny, G.Garcia

Manager: Alvaro Arbeola