PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 3-2 Strasbourg: Takumi Minamino snatches dramatic late winner in thriller | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 3, 31/08/25

AS Monaco beat RC Strasbourg Alsace in a five-goal thriller (3-2). Takumi Minamino netted an injury-time winner after Dilane Bakwa had dragged RCSA back into the game from two goals down.

The Match

Monaco began with an intensity and an intent that quickly faded. Folarin Balogun went close in the fourth minute, flicking a ball from Denis Zakaria just wide of Mike Penders’ goal. However, two minutes later, the USMNT forward was involved in the opener, harrying Penders, dispossessing him, and allowing Maghnes Akliouche to tap into the empty net.

But Monaco then sat off and allowed Strasbourg to grow in confidence. Valentín Barco picked out Diego Moreira, completely free inside the box from a corner. The latter’s effort was scuffed, but still required a good Lukas Hradecky save.

Hradecky was beaten soon after. Joaquin Panichelli peeled away from Christian Mawissa, heading home unmarked from six yards. Monaco were saved by the offside flag and a mere few centimetres. Balogun continued to hassle the Strasbourg back line and, after a give-and-go, worked a save from Penders.

He got his goal just after the break. Just seconds earlier, Les Alsaciens could have equalised, but in trying to go around Lukas Hradecky one-on-one, he was tackled, and Monaco immediately went down the other end. Lamine Camara slipped Balogun in, who finished with a composed chip. The Principality club ought to have added to the lead. Akliouche saw a shot inside the box deflected over, but the big chance came when Aleksandr Golovin was picked out free at the back post. Rather than shoot, he opted to feed Mika Biereth, who finished. The only problem was that he was in an offside position.

They were made to pay for that faux pas. Dilane Bakwa made a big impact, having come off the bench at half-time. It was another substitute, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, who put the ball across to the back post and Bakwa who finished on the volley. Just two minutes later, the France youth international brought about the equaliser.

He had the measure of Caio Henrique and drove at the Brazilian and into the Monaco box. On the back foot, Henrique put out a lazy leg, Bakwa went down, and Joaquín Panichelli did the rest from the spot. In the process, Lukas Hradecky was injured, replaced by Philipp Köhn. Les Monégasques almost edged back ahead moments later, but Eric Dier’s header was cleared off the line by Panichelli.

RCSA were pushing for a winner, too, and looked the most likely to get it. Paez forced substitute Köhn into a good save low to his left, and Amo-Ameyaw continued to cause problems down the left. But it was Monaco who would snatch all three points. Akliouche, picked out inside the box, kept his cool, finding Minamino at the back post. The Japan international headed home the winner, but there was still time for more drama, with Rabby Nzingoula sent off for Strasbourg having put both hands into Jordan Teze’s face.

After defeat last week against Lille OSC, Monaco return to winning ways, whilst Les Alsaciens suffer their first loss of the season.

Monaco player ratings

Lukas Hradecky – 6

He did well to deny Moreira in the first half, and his tackle on Paez early in the second half looked to have handed Monaco the upper hand, with Balogun then netting just seconds later. However, he could have done better with Bakwa’s volley.

Caio Henrique – 4

Christian Mawissa – 4

Eric Dier – 6

Jordan Teze – 6

Aleksandr Golovin – 3

Every decision he made on the day was the wrong one. From finding the wrong runner to passing when he should have shot, he was out of kilter with the rhythm of the game throughout and it showed in his wastefulness in possession.

Denis Zakaria – 5

Lamine Camara – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 8

What a way to celebrate your first France call-up! He netted Monaco’s first and was a livewire throughout, cutting inside and creating dangerous situations. He then showed his composure in the 96th minute to pick out Minamino for the winner.

Folarin Balogun – 8

In terms of his build-up and overall contribution, this was perhaps Balogun’s best game for Monaco. Breel Embolo’s hold-up play was so crucial last season, but he showed his strength in this regard, too. But there was also variety in his game as he made plenty of dangerous runs in behind and occupied his markers. A goal was a just reward for his efforts.

Mika Biereth – 4

Strasbourg player ratings

Mike Penders – 3

Penders was at fault for Monaco’s first and didn’t look at all at ease when pressed throughout. His shaky distribution hindered Strasbourg’s ability to play out from the back during phases of the match.

Ismaël Doukouré – 4

Replaced by Dilane Bakwa (8). The France youth international ran Henrique ragged. He was uncontrollable for large spells. It was his pass that put Paez through, his goal that reduced the deficit, his run that drew the penalty. All of Strasbourg’s best chances and moments were a result of his work.

Mamadou Sarr – 4

Lucas Hogsberg – 4

Diego Moreira – 6

Valentín Barco – 7

Mathis Amougou – 5

Guemissongui Ouattara – 4

Replaced by Kendry Paez (5)

Rafael Luís – 5

Joaquin Panichelli – 7

A really good focal point for Strasbourg. He allowed the technically gifted attacking players around him to shine. He took his penalty well, and his header, too, although Moreira was inches offside in the build-up.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Monaco