Kylian Mbappé showed no mercy against his former employers as Real Madrid demolished Monaco 6-1 in the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The French superstar, who spent five formative years at Monaco before his move to Paris Saint-Germain, had spoken warmly about the Ligue 1 side ahead of the reunion.
However, sentiment was quickly set aside as Mbappé struck twice inside the opening 26 minutes to put Madrid firmly in control and strengthen their push for a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Teenager Franco Mastantuono, a Thilo Kehrer own goal, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham added to the scoreline in what became a comfortable night for Los Blancos.
The emphatic win also marked a perfect Champions League response for coach Álvaro Arbeloa after a difficult start to his reign.
Real wasted no time asserting dominance, taking the lead inside five minutes. Mastantuono linked up with Federico Valverde, whose deft touch released Mbappé.
The forward calmly guided a precise finish beyond Philipp Köhn from the edge of the box.
Although Vinícius went close soon after, Monaco nearly found an equaliser when Ansu Fati, on loan from Barcelona, stretched for a close-range effort but failed to convert.
Mbappé doubled his tally midway through the first half, capping off a flowing team move. Eduardo Camavinga’s clever flick found Arda Güler, who released Vinícius down the left.
The Brazilian delivered a perfectly weighted outside-of-the-foot pass into Mbappé’s path, and the striker made no mistake from close range. It was his 32nd goal of the season and his 11th in six Champions League appearances.
Despite the scoreline, Monaco remained adventurous. Jordan Teze crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar, while Thibaut Courtois produced solid saves to deny Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun.
Mastantuono continued to impress and should have crowned his first-half display with an assist, but Bellingham headed over from his inviting cross.
The Argentine winger made amends early in the second half, scoring his first Champions League goal by steering home Vinícius’ clever pass from a tight angle. Soon after, Monaco’s misery deepened as Kehrer inadvertently turned Vinícius’ cross into his own net.
Vinícius then got on the scoresheet himself, finishing a rapid counter-attack with a superb strike from inside the box to make it 5-0.
Monaco pulled one back when Real were caught playing out from the back, allowing Teze to score with 18 minutes remaining.
However, Bellingham ensured Madrid had the final say, rounding Köhn and lifting the ball into the net to complete the rout.
The victory lifts Real Madrid to second place in the group standings and restores confidence after Arbeloa’s tenure had begun with a shock Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete.
