Monaco snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Strasbourg thanks to a 96th-minute winner from super-sub Takumi Minamino, extending their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to 10 games (W9, D1).
The hosts came out firing, with Folarin Balogun narrowly missing early on before Monaco struck in the sixth minute.
Strasbourg’s Mike Penders lost possession under pressure from Balogun, and Maghnes Akliouche capitalized, calmly slotting into an empty net to give Monaco an early advantage.
Strasbourg struggled to create clear chances in the first half, with the absence of the injured Emanuel Emegha clearly felt.
They finally tested Lukas Hradecky in the 23rd minute, but the Finnish goalkeeper produced a sensational stop to deny Diego Moreira’s first-time effort.
Monaco appeared to have a second goal disallowed when Joaquin Panichelli’s header for Strasbourg was ruled offside in the 33rd minute. Balogun came close again before halftime, only for Penders to block his attempt.
The Chelsea loanee made no mistake after just three minutes of the second half, clinically finishing Lamine Camara’s defence-splitting pass to level the contest. Monaco nearly regained the lead soon after, with Mika Biereth’s effort ruled out for offside via VAR.
Strasbourg refused to fold, hitting back within three minutes. Substitute Dilane Bakwa struck a brilliant half-volley to halve the deficit, and Caio Henrique’s foul on Bakwa in the area allowed Panichelli to convert the penalty, setting up a tense finale.
Kendry Paez almost delivered a late winner for Strasbourg, only to be denied by Philipp Kohn, who had replaced the injured Hradecky.
Ultimately, Minamino rose at the back post to head Akliouche’s cross home, sealing a dramatic win for Monaco.
The evening worsened for Strasbourg when Rabby Nzingoula was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Monaco now boasts two wins from their opening three matches, hoping to build on last season’s third-place finish. Strasbourg, despite the setback, remain confident with an identical start to the campaign (W2, L1).
