{"id":340069,"date":"2026-02-22T06:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T04:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/?p=340069"},"modified":"2026-02-22T06:38:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T04:38:19","slug":"ligue-1-as-monaco-topples-league-leaders-lens-in-a-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2026\/02\/ligue-1-as-monaco-topples-league-leaders-lens-in-a-thriller\/","title":{"rendered":"Ligue 1: AS Monaco topples league leaders Lens in five-goal thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trailing by two goals on the hour mark at RC Lens, the league leaders, AS Monaco secured a sensational victory.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lens fortress finally fell. Following ten consecutive wins in Ligue 1, the Sang et Or made the perfect start, opening the scoring early courtesy of Odsonne \u00c9douard. Florian Thauvin then doubled the lead before ASM produced a spectacular comeback. Folarin Balogun, Denis Zakaria and Ansu Fati struck three times in 10 minutes to seal a resounding 2-3 triumph for the Monegasques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suffocating start to the match<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the outset, the Sang et Or pounced early. Latching onto a pass from Thauvin, Adrien Thomasson cleverly teed up \u00c9douard, who volleyed home beyond Philipp K\u00f6hn (1-0, 3′). For the first 20 minutes, the Monegasques were pinned back by Lens and struggled to get out of their own half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kr\u00e9pin Diatta blocked Thomasson\u2019s cross with his arm inside the box. After a VAR review, the penalty was ultimately overturned, as the corner in the build-up had gone out of play (1-0, 14′). Gradually, S\u00e9bastien Pocognoli\u2019s men began to regain their composure. Balogun had Monaco\u2019s first real opportunity, but his half-volley was well saved by Robin Risser (21′).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another blow for the Red and Whites: Diatta, injured, was forced off on the half-hour mark (30′), adding his name to an already lengthy injury list. Just before the break, Simon Adingra, who scored twice against FC Nantes, saw his effort drift wide of the target (42′).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"balogun-as-monaco-rc-lens-victoire-ligue-1\"
\u00a9 AS Monaco<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A goal that sounds the revolt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second half started in the same fashion, with Lens pressing high. Former Monegasque Malang Sarr tried his luck from distance, and although K\u00f6hn parried the attempt, the ball fell kindly to Thauvin, who had the simple task of tapping home (2-0, 56′). But Pocognoli\u2019s men were about to turn the game on its head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three goals in 10 minutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fightback began in the 62nd minute. After Mamadou Coulibaly harried Thauvin, Balogun won back possession and quickly unleashed a shot that slipped through Risser\u2019s hands (2-1, 62′). It was his third goal of the week, following his brace vs Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Champions League: down to 10 men, AS Monaco falls to PSG but keeps qualification hopes alive<\/a><\/blockquote>