Real Madrid players celebrate the second goal against Monaco
Real Madrid, led by their new manager, poured six goals past French visitors Monaco in a 6-1 victory, inflicting a heavy defeat on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Arsenal strengthened their position at the top with a 3-1 away win over Inter Milan in the seventh round of the UEFA Champions League football.
In Madrid, the French and Brazilian stars led their team to regain lost momentum and return to winning ways in the prestigious continental competition, following their previous 1-2 loss to the English side. This gifted the new manager his first Champions League victory, and his second overall after a 2-0 win over Levante in the Spanish league.
The new manager, who succeeded Xabi Alonso at the helm of the “Merengues,” began his tenure at the royal club with a shocking 2-3 loss to second-division side Albacete, exiting the Spanish Cup in the round of 16.
That loss, which came after a 2-3 defeat to their traditional rival in the Spanish Super Cup final, closing the chapter on Alonso, led fans to direct their anger at the players, particularly in the first half of the match against Levante, especially at the English and Brazilian stars. Kylian Mbappé escaped the chants from some fans who called for the departure of the club president.
However, Real Madrid may find themselves with an exceptional opportunity to turn a new page after benefiting from Barcelona’s 1-2 loss to Real Sociedad, reducing the gap with them to just one point in the domestic league. Furthermore, Tuesday’s victory boosted their Champions League tally to 15 points, placing them temporarily in third position.
In Milan, Arsenal secured their seventh full-point victory with a 3-1 win at the home of the “Nerazzurri.”
Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus shone, scoring a brace for the London club (10′, 31′), before the third goal came from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres. Croatian midfielder Petar Sušić scored Inter’s sole goal (18′).
Suffering their third loss against four victories, Inter’s points tally remained frozen at 12, placing them eighth.
The defending champion, Paris Saint-Germain, continued their stumble with a 1-2 loss away to Portuguese side Sporting CP.
PSG fell back to fifth place with 13 points, level with Sporting CP who jumped to sixth place, also on 13 points.
Tottenham Hotspur moved up to fourth place with a 2-0 victory over numerically reduced German side Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly during the 1950s and its record number of UEFA Champions League titles.
Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, known for its glamorous casinos and as the host of the Formula One Grand Prix. Historically ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297, it became a constitutional monarchy in 1911 and is famed for its status as a tax haven and luxury tourism destination.
Arsenal
The Arsenal is a historic military complex in Venice, Italy, established in the early 12th century. It served as the heart of the Venetian Republic’s naval power, functioning as a state-owned shipyard and armory that pioneered early assembly-line production techniques.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan, officially known as Football Club Internazionale Milano, is an Italian professional football club founded in 1908 by a group of Italians and Swiss who wanted a club that accepted foreign players without restriction. Based in Milan, it is one of Italy’s most successful clubs, having won numerous Serie A titles, Coppa Italia trophies, and European championships, including three UEFA Champions League titles.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current format in 1992 to include a round-robin group stage. It is widely considered the most prestigious club tournament in European football.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, officially established as the capital by King Philip II in 1561. Its history dates back to a 9th-century Moorish fortress, and it later became the center of the vast Spanish Empire, with its grand Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace reflecting its historical significance. Today, it is a major European hub known for its art museums, vibrant culture, and modern urban life.
Levante
Levante is a historical and geographic term referring to the eastern Mediterranean region, particularly areas like modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Historically, it was a crucial crossroads for trade and cultural exchange between Europe, Asia, and Africa for millennia, famously home to ancient Phoenician city-states. The name itself derives from the Italian “levante,” meaning “rising,” referencing the direction of the sunrise as seen from the perspective of medieval Italian merchants.
Spanish league
The Spanish league, officially known as La Liga, is the top professional football division in Spain, founded in 1929. It is globally renowned for featuring historic clubs like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose intense rivalry has shaped much of its history and international prestige.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso is a retired Spanish professional footballer and current manager, best known for his successful playing career at clubs like Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. As a deep-lying playmaker, he was a key member of the Spanish national team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Merengues
“Merengues” is the popular nickname for Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, one of the world’s most famous football clubs based in Madrid, Spain. The name originates from the club’s all-white home kit, which is said to resemble the color of meringue, a sweet dessert. Founded in 1902, Real Madrid has built a storied history, becoming especially renowned for its record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles.
Albacete
Albacete is a city in southeastern Spain, historically known as an important crossroads and trading hub since the Middle Ages. It gained prominence in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and is famous today for its cutlery industry and the annual Feria de Albacete.
Spanish Cup
The Spanish Cup, officially known as the Copa del Rey, is an annual knockout football competition in Spain. It was first held in 1903, making it one of the oldest national cup tournaments in the world. The competition is open to teams from across the Spanish football league system.
Spanish Super Cup
The Spanish Super Cup is an annual football competition contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Originally a two-team fixture starting in 1982, it was expanded in 2019-20 to include four teams and is now frequently hosted outside of Spain, notably in Saudi Arabia.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is a French professional footballer, not a place or cultural site. He is a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team, rising to global fame after winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup as a teenager.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city in Catalonia, Spain, founded as a Roman colony. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist works of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família basilica, and its Gothic Quarter which preserves medieval structures. The city’s rich history is marked by its role as a major economic and cultural center, with deep Catalan identity.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad is a professional football club based in San Sebastián, Spain, founded in 1909. Historically, it is known for its strong Basque identity and for winning two consecutive La Liga titles in the early 1980s with a team composed entirely of Basque players.
Nerazzurri
“Nerazzurri” is the nickname for the Italian professional football club Inter Milan, derived from the team’s distinctive black and blue (nero e azzurro) striped jerseys. Founded in 1908 by a breakaway group from the Milan Cricket and Football Club (now AC Milan), the club has a storied history as one of Italy’s most successful, with numerous domestic and European titles.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus is a professional Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a forward for Arsenal in the English Premier League and the Brazil national team. He began his senior career at Palmeiras in Brazil before moving to Manchester City in 2017, where he won multiple domestic titles, and later transferred to Arsenal in 2022.
London
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major global city with a history spanning nearly two millennia since its founding by the Romans as Londinium. It grew into a historic centre of commerce, finance, and politics, with landmarks like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey reflecting its long evolution. Today, it remains a leading international hub for culture and finance.
Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres is a professional Swedish footballer who plays as a striker, known for his powerful style of play. He rose to prominence in Sweden with IF Brommapojkarna and has since played for clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion, Coventry City, and currently Sporting CP in Portugal.
Petar Sušić
Petar Sušić is a village in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, located near the town of Kiseljak. Historically, it is best known as the site of the medieval Bobovac fortress, which served as the royal residence and burial place for several Bosnian kings in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain is a professional football club founded in 1970, based in Paris, France. It is one of the most successful clubs in French football, having won numerous Ligue 1 titles, and is known for its global brand and high-profile players.
Sporting CP
Sporting Clube de Portugal, commonly known as Sporting CP, is a major multi-sports club based in Lisbon, Portugal, founded in 1906. It is historically renowned for its football department, which has produced numerous legendary players through its acclaimed academy, and has won multiple Primeira Liga titles and domestic cups. The club’s iconic green and white hooped jersey is a symbol of its identity and passionate supporter base.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur is a professional football club based in London, England, founded in 1882. Historically significant as the first club in the 20th century to achieve the League and FA Cup Double in 1961, it is known for its long-standing rivalry with Arsenal and its home ground, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund is a German professional football club based in Dortmund, founded in 1909. It is one of the most successful clubs in German history, having won multiple Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 1997, and is renowned for its iconic Signal Iduna Park stadium and its passionate fan culture.
