Champions League
AS Monaco Triumphs Over Barcelona In Thrilling UEFA Champions League Opener
AS Monaco kicked off their UEFA Champions League (UCL) stage campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a 10-man Barcelona at the Stade Louis II.
This match marked Monaco’s return to the UCL group stage for the first time since the 2018/19 season, and they certainly it memorable, extending their impressive record to eight wins in their last ten home games against Spanish teams.
A Dream Start for Monaco
Monaco could hardly have asked for a better start to the match.
Just over 10 minutes into the game, a disastrous pass from Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, put defender Eric García in a precarious position. The young Spaniard was dispossessed by Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, who was brought down by García as the last man, resulting in a straight red card for the Barcelona defender.
This early setback left the Catalan giants with a mountain to climb, and Monaco was quick to capitalize.
Just moments later, Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, displaying remarkable skill and determination, embarked on a powerful run that led up to a thumping finish at the near post.
Barcelona’s Resilience
However, Barcelona, despite being down to ten men, showed their attacking qualities. The 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal stepped up to the challenge, demonstrating why he is considered one of the brightest talents in world football.
Yamal cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. It was a remarkable response from the visitors, proving that they still had the firepower to compete even when undermanned.
Monaco continued to press for a second goal, and Wilfried Singo thought he had restored their lead just before halftime.
However, his effort was ruled out for offside, leaving the team level at the break despite Monaco’s dominance in possession and chances created.
Second Half Drama
The second half mirrored the first, with Monaco controlling much of the play. The home side’s relentless pressure was evident, but they found it difficult to break down a resilient Barcelona defense.
Vanderson came close to scoring, but Ter Stegen was equal to the task, making a spectacular save to keep the game level.
As the clock ticked down, Monaco’s persistence finally paid off. With just under 20 minutes remaining, a defensive mix-up from Barcelona allowed substitute George Ilenikhena to break through on goal.
The young striker made no mistake, powering his shot past Ter Stegen to give Monaco a 2-1 lead. This goal marked a significant moment for Ilenikhena, as it was his Champions League debut, and he certainly made it one to remember.
Late Drama and Controversy
Monaco nearly sealed the game shortly after their second goal when Folarin Balogun, another of Adi Hütter’s impactful substitutions, unleashed a fierce drive that was brilliantly saved by ter Stegen.
In a dramatic twist five minutes from time, Monaco was awarded a penalty when Iñigo Martínez brought down Balogun in the area.
However, after consulting the pitchside monitor(VAR), the referee overturned his initial decision, much to the relief of the Barcelona players and fans.
With this win, Monaco has sent a strong message to the rest of the competition: they are back in the Champions League and ready to make their mark.
For Barcelona, the challenge will be to regroup and find a way to bounce back from this setback as they navigate their path in Europe.
