PSG were handed their second loss of the season in Ligue 1 yesterday. The defeat came at the hands, or more appropriately the boots of Monaco courtesy of a goal from ex Liverpool man, Takumi Minamino. Even a red card for ex PSG player, Thilo Kehrer, could not stop Monaco from gaining the shock victory. The loss puts Luis Enrique’s men under more pressure as the chasing pack in Ligue 1 are not far behind.
Folarin Balogun started up top in Monaco’s 4231 with Aleksandr Golovin and Maghnes Akliouche to his right and left and the goalscorer Minamino in attacking midfield. Senny Mayulu meanwhile was up top in PSG’s 433 with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to his left and Kang-In Lee to his right.
From minute 1, the match was an intense affair, ultimately decided by a single goal that secured a significant 1-0 victory for the home side. The action started quickly, with Monaco creating the first chance in the 4th minute. Mohammed Salisu took a shot, but PSG’s goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier, made an easy save. Just one minute later, Monaco created another chance but it was a wayward shot as Vanderson struck the ball hard after a corner kick but sent it over the goal.
The match’s intensity was evident early on, leading to the first card in the 12th minute. Monaco’s Lamine Camara was booked with a yellow card for a heavy challenge on the PSG goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier. The PSG bench immediately called for a red card following the incident but to no success.
PSG’s first meaningful attempt came in the 20th minute, but Fabián Ruiz shot hard and sent the ball wide, registering a wayward shot. PSG’s attacking efforts continued in the 26th minute when Vitinha hit a low drive from the edge of the box, forcing Monaco’s goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, to parry the ball away with difficulty.
Monaco responded swiftly, and in the 28th minute, they created one of the best chances of the half. Takumi Minamino struck a sweet volley on target at the near post, forcing a brilliant stop from Lucas Chevalier. Minamino was denied a goal by the brilliant save. On the counter-attack in the 29th minute, PSG’s Lee Kang-in attempted a wayward shot, striking the ball hard but sending it over the goal and wide once again.
Monaco came agonizingly close to scoring in the 33rd minute. Mohammed Salisu headed the ball powerfully, but it struck the post, marking a clear near miss for the home side. The cards continued to flow as, in the same minute, PSG’s Vitinha was booked with a yellow card for a handball offense. The half ended with a moment of controversy when Monaco put the ball in the back of the net in the 47th minute, but the goal was immediately ruled out for offside. The first half concluded with the score deadlocked at 0-0.
The second half began without immediate changes, but substitutions started around the hour mark. In the 64th minute, both sides made double changes. Monaco brought on Krépin Diatta to replace Vanderson. PSG made two simultaneous attacking substitutions, Ousmane Dembélé replaced Lee Kang-in, and Quentin Ndjantou came on for Senny Mayulu.
The changes gave Monaco added intensity and just four minutes later, they were ahead. In the 68th minute, the match’s decisive goal was scored. Takumi Minamino collected a cross from Aleksandr Golovin, controlled it expertly, and then steered a composed half-volley past Lucas Chevalier to put Monaco ahead 1-0.
Trailing by a goal, PSG made another change in the 76th minute, with Ibrahim Mbaye replacing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. This substitution directly preceded a major turning point in the game. In the 80th minute, Monaco’s Thilo Kehrer was involved in a foul on the substitute Ibrahim Mbaye. Following a VAR check, Kehrer was shown a straight Red Card and sent off, meaning Monaco would have to defend their slender lead with ten men for the remainder of the match.
PSG quickly introduced another attacking player, with Gonçalo Ramos replacing Fabián Ruiz in the 84th minute. Monaco responded with two tactical substitutions in the 85th minute, designed to shore up the defense and manage the game. Paul Pogba replaced the goal-scorer Takumi Minamino, a notable moment as it marked Pogba’s first home appearance of the season. Additionally, Mika Biereth entered the match, replacing Folarin Balogun.
The numerical advantage allowed PSG to dominate the final minutes, pushing for an equalizer. In the 90th minute, Quentin Ndjantou, on a pass from Dembélé, entered the area and shot hard, but sent the ball wide, registering another wayward shot. In stoppage time, PSG created a final clear opportunity. Vitinha received a pass and shot, but Monaco’s goalkeeper, Hradecky, palmed the ball away, making a crucial save and denying the Parisians an equalizer. The late drama also resulted in two yellow cards for the winning side in stoppage time: Jordan Teze was booked for a foul on Vitinha, and Krépin Diatta was booked for complaining.
The match ended after seven minutes of added time with the final score Monaco 1-0 PSG. The result was secured despite Monaco playing the final ten minutes with ten men following Kehrer’s red card.
