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UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5, 26/11/2025
Monaco were held in Cyprus in a thrilling encounter which saw both sides find the back of the net on two occasions. Les Monégasques took the lead twice through Minamino and Balogun before the hosts pegged them back with two goals from set pieces.
The match
Les Monégasques started the match with intent and opened the scoring inside 5 minutes. After some quick play in midfield, Golovin and Akliouche combined before the latter found Takumi Minamino in the penalty area. The Japanese international managed to sneak away an early shot, which found the bottom corner.
The Cypriot champions had their first opportunity of the match from a set piece. A ball from deep was whipped in the area, and despite three players touching the ball, including their captain, David Goldar, the ball evaded the back of the net. Pafos continued to threaten from set pieces and on the second attempt, found an equaliser. From a corner, David Luiz rose highest and powered a thunderous header into the top corner. The former PSG defender left Hradecky with no chance.
Pafos were not level for long. A catastrophic error from Michail playing out from the back saw Balogun intercept before curving the ball home with his second touch to re-establish the Ligue 1 side’s lead. After halftime, the American had the opportunity to double his tally after a good ball from Minamino, but he couldn’t beat Michail with the angle closing on him.
Despite Monaco’s dominance in possession, the hosts still had their moments. Anderson found his way in behind Salisu and one-on-one with Hradecky in easy fashion. However, the Finnish international made a big stop to deny the Brazilian striker and keep his side in the lead.
Pafos continued to threaten from set pieces, and as Les Monégasques failed to clear a corner, Oršic’s eyes lit up as the ball fell to him, but Hradecky made a massive save to deny the former Southampton attacking midfielder. However, the hosts would find an equaliser with the following corner. The Croatian floated a ball into the box, which Šunjic met and found the crossbar with his header, before taking an unfortunate deflection off Salisu into the back of the net.
Monaco player ratings:
Lukas Hradecky – 6
Mohamed Salisu – 5
Jordan Teze – 5
Caio Henrique – 5
Vanderson – 5
Denis Zakaria – 5
Lamine Camara – 4
Takumi Minamino – 6
Maghnes Akliouche – 6
Folarin Balogun – 6
The USMNT striker continued his stellar goalscoring form under the management of Sébastien Pocognoli. Following quick reactions, the former Arsenal forward did well to intercept before instinctively slotting the ball into the bottom corner. He offered a continued threat and could have found himself with more than one goal on another night.
Alexander Golovin – 6
Tasked with progressing play forwards, the Russian attacking midfielder completed his duties with aplomb. Golovin often pushed his side onto the front foot and launched swift attacks forward in the first half. His ability to find a spare man and evade markers in tight spaces played a pivotal role in Monaco’s first goal.
GFFN | Liam Wraith
