AS Monaco pulled off a major surprise in their Champions League opener by defeating the heavily favored Barcelona 2-1 at the Stade Louis II. U.S. international Folarin Balogun played a key role off the bench in helping Monaco secure a famous victory, as Barcelona struggled with just 10 men following an early red card.
Early Red Card Sets the Tone
Barcelona’s hopes took a major hit just 10 minutes into the match when defender Eric Garcia was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. Reduced to 10 men for nearly the entire game, Barca faced an uphill battle. Monaco capitalized on their numerical advantage just 16 minutes later when Maghnes Akliouche opened the scoring for the hosts, putting them 1-0 ahead.
Lamine Yamal’s Moment of Brilliance
Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal responded in style, equalizing with a stunning goal just 12 minutes after Monaco had taken the lead. The 16-year-old sensation continues to impress on the big stage, offering hope for Barca as they looked to secure a point despite being down a man.
Balogun’s Impact Off the Bench
Monaco turned to their bench in the second half, bringing on Folarin Balogun to add fresh energy to the attack. His presence made an immediate impact, helping Monaco press forward. In the 71st minute, fellow substitute George Ilenikhena found the back of the net, restoring Monaco’s lead.
Balogun nearly sealed the victory moments later when he won a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was controversially overturned. Despite the setback, Monaco managed to see out the game, holding on to their 2-1 lead and securing a valuable three points against the La Liga giants.
AS Monaco’s win over Barcelona marks a statement victory in their Champions League campaign, with Balogun’s introduction playing a significant part in the result. For Barcelona, it’s an early setback as they look to bounce back in the next round of matches. Meanwhile, Balogun and his Monaco teammates can take confidence from their impressive performance against one of Europe’s top clubs.
Summary
Eric Garcia’s early red card left Barcelona with 10 men.
Maghnes Akliouche and George Ilenikhena scored for Monaco.
Folarin Balogun’s second-half impact helped secure the upset for Monaco.