In a pivotal Ligue 1 encounter on Friday, Monaco emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, setting the stage for a tense buildup to PSG’s upcoming Champions League last-16 showdown against Chelsea. The match saw US international Folarin Balogun among the scorers, further cementing his impressive form this season. This defeat represents a notable setback for the French capital’s club just days before they host Chelsea in a crucial European fixture.
The game’s momentum swung early in Monaco’s favor when Maghnes Akliouche opened the scoring in the first half, giving the visitors a valuable lead. Shortly after the break, Aleksandr Golovin doubled Monaco’s advantage with a precise finish, intensifying the pressure on the reigning European champions. Although Bradley Barcola managed to reduce the deficit for PSG with a well-taken goal, Balogun quickly restored Monaco’s two-goal cushion, marking his fifth goal in as many matches and underscoring his vital role in Monaco’s push for European qualification next season.
This victory was particularly sweet for Monaco, who were eager to avenge their narrow 5-4 aggregate loss to PSG in last month’s Champions League knockout phase play-offs. In that tightly contested tie, Monaco had squandered a two-goal lead, losing the first leg 3-2 and settling for a 2-2 draw in the return fixture. That outcome allowed PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, to advance to the last 16, where they will now face Chelsea in a high-stakes duel. The first leg is scheduled to take place in Paris on Wednesday, with the return leg set for March 17, making this upcoming tie a defining moment in PSG’s season.
It is worth noting that PSG are the defending Champions League winners, having lifted the trophy for the first time last season. However, their recent form has raised concerns, especially after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Luis Enrique acknowledged the disappointment following the loss to Monaco, stating, “It is not the best result going into the Champions League. We are aware of that.” He further emphasized the challenge of facing a Monaco side riding a wave of positive momentum, highlighting the cost of underperforming against such an in-form opponent.
The defeat also impacts PSG’s ambitions domestically, as they aim to secure a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 title. Their lead at the summit has now been cut from four points to just one, with Lens, their closest rivals, poised to narrow the gap further by defeating bottom-placed Metz on Sunday. This marks PSG’s fourth league defeat in 25 matches this season, equaling the total number of losses they suffered across the previous two campaigns combined. Across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, PSG have been beaten seven times, including four losses in the current calendar year alone.
Luis Enrique expressed concern over the team’s current struggles, noting the stark contrast to the exceptional form they displayed in the latter half of last season en route to their Champions League triumph. “We are clearly in difficulty at the moment but we need to maintain hope that will change,” he remarked. “Confidence is not just something you buy at the supermarket.” The coach’s comments reflect the urgency within the squad to regain their winning rhythm ahead of the critical fixtures ahead.
On a positive note, PSG welcomed back Ousmane Dembele, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, who made a second-half appearance after recovering from injury. Despite this encouraging return, Dembele has started only 14 of PSG’s 40 matches this season, raising questions about his fitness and availability for the demanding Champions League clash against Chelsea.
Monaco’s performance was deserving of the win, as they capitalized on a crucial error by PSG’s Warren Zaire-Emery just before the half-hour mark. The young midfielder lost possession inside his own penalty area, allowing Balogun to set up Akliouche for the opening goal. PSG struggled with their final passes throughout the match, while Golovin’s clinical finish shortly after entering as a substitute demonstrated Monaco’s efficiency in front of goal. The Russian midfielder’s goal came after a fortunate deflection from Vitinha, further frustrating the home side.
PSG’s solitary goal came in the 71st minute when Achraf Hakimi assisted Barcola, who scored his tenth goal of the season with a deflected shot that beat Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn at his near post. However, Monaco quickly extinguished any hopes of a PSG comeback when Balogun scored from outside the box, his shot deflecting off Nuno Mendes to find the net. This strike marked Balogun’s 13th goal across all competitions this season, highlighting his emergence as a key player for Monaco and a potential star for the United States at the upcoming World Cup.
Monaco’s recent form has been impressive, with five wins and two draws in their last seven Ligue 1 matches, propelling them to fifth place in the standings. Their coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, expressed pride in his team’s performance and the growing positive momentum within the squad. As Monaco continues to build confidence, their victory over PSG not only boosts their European aspirations but also sends a strong message to their rivals in the league.
