Ligue 1: Monaco stun champions PSG 1-0 at Stade Louis II

Ligue 1: Monaco stun champions PSG 1-0 at Stade Louis II

Takumi Minamino scored the decisive goal as Monaco stunned reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 1-0 in their Ligue 1 clash at the Stade Louis II on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Japanese international, formerly of Liverpool, struck just past the midway point of the second half to hand PSG only their second domestic defeat of the season.

Monaco held firm despite playing the final 10 minutes a man down, after former PSG defender Thilo Kehrer was sent off in the 80th minute following a VAR review.

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The victory ends Monaco’s run of three consecutive Ligue 1 defeats, lifting them provisionally to sixth place, seven points behind PSG. The champions remain top on 30 points from 14 matches, but are now just two points ahead of Marseille and Lens and could be overtaken later on Saturday.

PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted his side were below par.

“Usually I prefer to watch matches again before analysing, but today it is easier. We were not precise enough and made too many individual and collective mistakes,” he said.

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“Neither team played at a very high level, but they played better than us. It was without doubt our worst match of the season.”

Minamino expertly controlled an Aleksandr Golovin cross before finishing past Lucas Chevalier for the match winner. Monaco preserved their lead even after Kehrer’s dismissal for a foul on Ibrahim Mbaye.

Paul Pogba made another brief substitute appearance for Monaco, a week after marking his first competitive outing in over two years following his doping ban.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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