Monaco staged a superb comeback, overcoming an early shortfall to defeat Lyon 2-1, with Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun securing crucial points away from home.
Monaco delivered a stunning second-half turnaround against Lyon at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. They overcame an early shortfall to secure a vital 2-1 Ligue 1 victory on March 22, 2026.
This clash was a battle for European qualification. Monaco arrived in strong form, having won their last five league matches. Lyon, sitting fourth, aimed to consolidate their position after a mixed run.
The first half saw tight exchanges between the two sides. Monaco's Aleksandr Golovin picked up a yellow card in the 40th minute for a rough challenge.
However, Lyon then broke the deadlock just two minutes later. Pavel Sulc guided home a precise finish from an Endrick assist in the 42nd minute, sending the home crowd wild.
The goal ensured Lyon took a narrow lead into the halftime break. Despite Monaco's attempts to respond, they struggled to create clear chances.
The break allowed Monaco to regroup and adjust their strategy. Coach Philippe Clement introduced Aladji Bamba at halftime, sparking their offense with renewed intensity.
Defender Wout Faes received a yellow card for Monaco in the 53rd minute for a tripping infraction, but Monaco continued to press forward.
Maghnes Akliouche then brought Monaco level in the 62nd minute. He latched onto a Jordan Teze pass and slotted past Lyon's goalkeeper Dominik Greif. The equalizer shifted momentum.
The comeback was completed ten minutes later. Folarin Balogun converted a penalty in the 72nd minute after a foul inside the box, putting Monaco ahead. Lyon's Paulo Fonseca also saw yellow for protests.
Lyon's hopes dimmed further in the 89th minute when Nicolás Tagliafico received a straight red card for a serious foul. Monaco held firm, managing the game effectively to the final whistle.
Despite Lyon's 57% possession, Monaco created superior chances. Their expected goals (xG) tally of 2.21 significantly outpaced Lyon's 1.09, reflecting their attacking threat.
Monaco registered 16 total shots, with six on target, outperforming Lyon's 15 shots and four on target efforts. Maghnes Akliouche earned a 9.5 rating for his match-winning performance.
This crucial 2-1 victory moves Monaco within a point of Lyon in the tightly contested Ligue 1 table. It strengthens their impressive push for a European spot, while Lyon faces pressure to rediscover their winning form.
