Monaco leave it late to sink Lens and extend unbeaten Ligue 1 start
Monaco maintained their flying start to the Ligue 1 season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Lens at the Stade Louis II, as a late Jonathan Gradit own goal secured all three points for the home side.
The result keeps Les Rouge et Blanc unbeaten and moves them three points clear at the top of the table, with four wins from their opening five league matches. It was a night when Monaco’s persistence was repeatedly tested, but their attacking intent eventually earned the reward it deserved.
Match highlight
The hosts believed they had made the ideal start inside the opening 10 minutes when Matthis Abline calmly found the net. However, the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Lens then had a strong appeal for a penalty after Sadibou Sane appeared to handle the ball in the area, prompting referee Clement Turpin to review the incident at the VAR monitor. After a lengthy check, Turpin judged that no penalty should be awarded.
Monaco continued to press and suffered more frustration before the half-hour mark, when Edan Diop’s close-range finish was also ruled out for offside.
Yet the breakthrough finally arrived through Paris Brunner. The forward latched onto an incisive Abline pass and showed impressive composure to beat Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser from close range, registering his fourth goal of the campaign.
Filipe Luis’ side should have doubled their advantage before the interval. After Risser kept out Brunner’s initial effort, Abline somehow failed to connect properly with the rebound from only a few yards out.
Monaco began the second half brightly and saw another Abline effort ruled out, again for offside.
Their control of the contest made Lens’ equaliser in the 57th minute all the more unexpected. Florian Thauvin delivered a dangerous corner, and Matthieu Udol rose superbly to direct a header beyond Lukas Hradecky.
The goal transformed Lens. Substitute Thorgan Hazard came close to completing the turnaround shortly afterwards, but his header sailed over the crossbar when a better finish might have changed the entire complexion of the match.
Just as the contest appeared destined to end level, Monaco found their decisive moment. In the 84th minute, Gradit inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts a precious late lead.
Monaco then managed the closing stages with maturity to preserve a victory that underlined both their resilience and their growing title credentials.
