Monaco lifted into a three‑point Ligue 1 lead after a 2‑1 triumph over Lens at Stade Louis II, extending their unbeaten start.
Early on the hosts seemed to have broken the deadlock when Matthis Abline calmly slotted home, but the goal was chalked off for off‑side, much to Lens’s relief.
Both teams traded chances in the opening phases, then VAR prompted the referee to examine a potential handball by Sadibou Sane in the box. Clement Turpin ultimately decided no penalty was warranted, much to the home crowd’s sigh of relief.
Monaco’s frustration grew as Edan Diop saw a close‑range effort ruled out for off‑side just before the thirty‑minute mark.
Les Rouge et Blanc finally capitalised, with Paris Brunner delivering a perfect pass to Abline, who calmly finished past Robin Risser to give Monaco the lead – a proof of their persistence, and in my view, a deserved advantage.
Filipe Luís’ side could have doubled the lead before halftime, but Abline missed a close‑range chance after Brunner’s initial strike was parried by Risser.
The second half began brightly for the hosts, and Abline found the net, only for the assistant’s flag to signal off‑side, leaving Monaco stunned.
Monaco deserved the lead, yet Lens shocked the home fans by equalising in the 57th minute when Matthieu Udol flicked a corner from Florian Thauvin past Lukas Hradecky.
Suddenly Lens surged with confidence, and substitute Thorgan Hazard headed over the bar when he should have found the net.
Just as a draw seemed inevitable, Jonathan Gradit unintentionally turned his own cross into an own goal, restoring Monaco’s lead at 84 minutes, and the hosts clung on for three vital points.
Les Rouge et Blanc have now secured four wins in their opening five Ligue 1 fixtures for the third straight season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matthieu Udol (Lens)
Click here for more on the match – will Monaco maintain their lead next week?