AS Monaco’s Champions League ambitions took a hit last night as a late own goal saw them settle for a 2-2 draw against Pafos FC in a pulsating encounter at the Alphamega Stadium. The result leaves both teams locked in a tense battle for knockout qualification, with just one group match remaining.
Monaco’s Early Dominance Undone
Monaco looked set for a crucial away win after a blistering start.
Takumi Minamino opened the scoring in the 5th minute, finishing off a slick move orchestrated by Maghnes Akliouche. The visitors doubled their lead midway through the first half, with
Folarin Balogun finding the net in the 26th minute, seemingly putting Monaco in control.
Pafos, however, refused to roll over. The Cypriot side, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, pulled one back before halftime through
David Luiz, keeping the contest alive.
Late Drama: Salisu’s Own Goal Levels the Score
The second half saw Monaco miss several chances to put the game to bed. Pafos, growing in confidence, pressed for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the dying minutes when a corner led to a chaotic scramble in the Monaco box. Defender
Mohammed Salisu inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 89th minute, sending the stadium into raptures and securing a valuable point for the hosts.
What This Means for the Group
Both teams now sit on
six points from five matches, with Monaco and Pafos occupying 22nd and 23rd positions respectively in the league phase table. The draw keeps Pafos’ remarkable Champions League campaign alive—they have lost just once so far and continue to defy expectations after their shock win over Villarreal earlier in the group.
For Monaco, the result is a bitter pill to swallow. Manager
Sebastien Pocognoli and his squad will rue missed opportunities, knowing that victory would have put them in a stronger position ahead of a decisive clash with Galatasaray on December 9.
Pafos: The Surprise Package
Pafos FC’s rise has been one of the stories of this Champions League season. Written off as underdogs, they have now taken points off both Monaco and Villarreal, and are dreaming of a historic knockout stage appearance. Their next fixtures—against European giants Juventus and Chelsea—will test their mettle, but the Cypriot side has already shown they can punch above their weight.
Takeaways and What’s Next
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Monaco must regroup quickly, with their Champions League fate hanging in the balance.
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Pafos continue to ride a wave of momentum, with belief growing that they can achieve the unthinkable.
- The final group matches promise high drama, as both teams chase a place in the knockout rounds.
The Champions League’s new league phase has delivered another night of twists and turns—proving once again that in football, nothing is ever certain until the final whistle.
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