admin Monaco denied Manchester City a precious away win in the UEFA Champions League with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Stade Louis II. Erling Haaland’s first-half double looked enough for victory, but Eric Dier’s late penalty rescued a point for the French side in a thrilling finish.
City began the night with intensity, controlling possession and pressing high up the pitch. Their pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Haaland darted behind the defense and lifted a clever lob over goalkeeper Phillip Koehn. The Norwegian’s strike was his 51st goal in just 50 Champions League appearances, underlining his remarkable consistency.
However, Monaco responded almost immediately. Jordan Teze pounced on a turnover and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner just three minutes later. The equalizer sent a jolt of energy through the stadium, giving Monaco belief as they pushed forward.
Still, City continued to dominate and were rewarded again before halftime. Haaland rose powerfully inside the box to head home Nico O’Reilly’s pinpoint cross, restoring his team’s advantage. Phil Foden nearly added a third soon after, but his effort rattled the crossbar. At the break, City looked well placed to collect maximum points.
The second half shifted momentum toward the home side. Monaco pressed higher and created openings, with Maghnes Akliouche forcing Gianluigi Donnarumma into a sharp save. Haaland remained a constant threat, coming close to a hat-trick with a low drive, but City began to lose their edge and slowed the game down.
That decision came back to haunt them in the closing minutes. A VAR review spotted Nico Gonzalez’s raised boot catching Dier inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot, and the England international made no mistake, sending Donnarumma the wrong way in the 90th minute.
The draw leaves Manchester City on four points from two games, while Monaco earned their first of the campaign after an earlier defeat to Club Brugge. City now travel to Villarreal on October 21, while Monaco will face Tottenham the following day.
After the match, Haaland admitted his disappointment, saying City lacked the energy and sharpness to finish strongly. For Monaco, the late goal was a reminder of their resilience, while City’s long wait for an away Champions League win continues. The night ended with drama, tension, and a fair share of frustration for both sides.
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