Late Drama in Monaco
If you’ve been following Monaco’s strong start to the season, Sunday’s game might have left you a bit disappointed. Monaco faced off against Lens in sweltering heat, hoping to secure their third consecutive win in Ligue 1. But things didn’t go as planned, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw, putting a halt to their perfect record.
Zakaria’s Goal and a Cruel Twist
The game seemed to be in Monaco’s favor when Denis Zakaria finally broke the deadlock with a header just six minutes before the final whistle. That moment felt like a victory was in sight, especially since Lens had been struggling to get on the scoreboard despite some close calls. Earlier in the match, Lens came agonizingly close to scoring, with Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Said hitting the post within seconds of each other. They even had a goal disallowed after the break due to a handball. For Monaco fans, Zakaria’s late goal probably felt like justice served.
Frankowski’s Last-Minute Penalty
But then came the twist. Just as Monaco was about to celebrate, disaster struck. Zakaria, the same player who had put them ahead, accidentally handled the ball in his own penalty area. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Lens. Przemyslaw Frankowski stepped up and converted the spot-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Suddenly, what looked like a sure win for Monaco turned into a frustrating draw.
What’s Next for Monaco?
While a draw isn’t the worst outcome, it’s not the win Monaco was aiming for. On the flip side, this result was a morale boost for Lens, who had been knocked out of the UEFA Conference League earlier in the week. For Monaco, they’re now level on points with Lens, both sitting behind league leaders Marseille on goal difference.
Monaco will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to kick off their Champions League campaign at home against Barcelona on September 19th. As for Marseille, they’re currently enjoying the top spot after a solid win against Toulouse. It’s still early in the season, and there’s plenty of football left to play, but Sunday’s match was a reminder that every point counts.
