Kylian Mbappé draws level with Cristiano Ronaldo in remarkable Champions League record — and could break it

Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé continue to look unstoppable in this edition of the UEFA Champions League. Following a dominant 6-1 thrashing of AS Monaco on Matchday 7 of the league phase, the Spanish giants have mathematically secured their place in the Round of 16. Unlike last season, where the "Merengues" were forced to navigate a grueling Play-off round, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side has taken the direct route, solidifying their status as the primary candidates to lift the trophy in 2026.

At the heart of this success is the French captain. Mbappé has become the definitive solution to every tactical puzzle Real Madrid has faced this season. His numbers are nothing short of extraterrestrial: 32 goals in 26 matches across all competitions. This staggering average of 1.23 goals per game has allowed him to pull up a chair at the same table as Cristiano Ronaldo, matching a record that many believed was untouchable.

With his brace against his former club—invoking the "Law of the Ex"—Mbappé has equaled Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals scored in a single opening phase (formerly the Group Stage, now the League Phase) of the Champions League. Ronaldo set the bar at 11 goals during the legendary 2015/2016 campaign.

That specific record stood for a decade, serving as a testament to the Portuguese icon's dominance. It is worth noting that when Ronaldo achieved this feat, he went on to lead Real Madrid to their 11th European title (La Undécima), scoring crucial goals in every knockout round and netting the winning penalty in the final. For Madridistas, Mbappé matching this specific milestone is seen as a prophetic sign of what might happen in the 2026 final.

The match at the Santiago Bernabéu was a masterclass in vertical football. Mbappé wasted no time in making his mark:

The 1st Goal (5th Minute): The play was ignited by the visionary Argentine youngster Franco Mastantuono, who found Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan "Falcon" delivered a precision assist to Mbappé, who beat the keeper with a clinical strike to the near post.

The 2nd Goal (26th Minute): During a lightning-fast defense-to-attack transition, Vinícius Jr. carried the ball down the left flank. The Brazilian pulled the defense toward him before sliding a perfect ball to Mbappé, who slotted home his 11th goal of the continental campaign.

While Mbappé has matched the total, the debate over "who did it better" remains. Ronaldo’s 11 goals came in just 6 matches (a 1.83 average), whereas Mbappé has reached the mark in 7 matches (a 1.57 average) due to the expanded league format.

However, Mbappé has a golden opportunity to claim the record solely for himself. Real Madrid still has one match remaining in the league phase against Benfica. If the 27-year-old finds the net just once in Lisbon, he will become the first player in history to score 12 goals before the knockout stages even begin.

The 6-1 victory—which also featured goals from the supporting cast—moves Real Madrid into second place in the overall Champions League standings. With the "Round of 16" ticket already booked, Arbeloa can now manage his squad's fatigue as they balance their pursuit of the European crown with a tight race at the top of La Liga.