AS Monaco wasted away Folarin Balogun’s best performance of the season to date.
Balogun scored twice on Tuesday night but Monaco suffered a 3-2 first leg loss to French rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. The American forward delivered his first brace at club level since March 2024, taking his season tally up to 10 in all competitions.
Balogun delivered an early lead for Monaco, heading home Aleksandr Golovin’s cross in the first minute. Golovin crossed from the left wing and Balogun, who was left open in the PSG box, headed back off of the ground and in.
Monaco would grab a 2-0 lead before the 20th minute mark as Balogun doubled his tally on the night. After a nice 1-2 with Maghnes Akilouche, Balogun raced upfield before drilling a low shot past Matvey Safonov into the back of the net.
Despite Vitinha missing from the penalty spot, PSG would draw level before halftime thanks to goals from Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi.
Golovin was sent off for Monaco in the early stages of the second half after VAR overturned a yellow card decision and forced the Russian midfielder off.
PSG would take advantage of the extra man as Doue scored his second goal of the night to flip the reigning Ligue 1 champions in front 3-2.
Balogun was substituted off in the 83rd minute, watching as Monaco fell to a first leg defeat at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco’s busy schedule doesn’t get any easier with a trip to league-leading Lens on Saturday before traveling to PSG next week for the second leg of its series.
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