Monaco Collapse at Home as Lorient Strike Late at Louis II
What looked under control unraveled fast. Monaco fell apart late on as a ruthless Lorient walked away with a statement win in the Principality.
A Balanced Contest That Shifted Late
Matchday 18 of Ligue 1 delivered a tense battle at Stade Louis II, with Monaco and Lorient locked in a closely fought contest for much of the night.
The hosts dictated possession early and created the clearest chances, with Folarin Balogun and Aleksandr Golovin constantly threatening. Lorient, disciplined and compact, absorbed pressure and waited patiently for their moment.
Dieng Breaks the Deadlock
The game turned on the hour mark. In the 68th minute, Bamba Dieng attacked the space behind the defense and slipped his finish through the legs of Philipp Köhn, stunning the home crowd and putting Lorient ahead.
The goal exposed Monaco’s growing fragility, a team already struggling for confidence amid a worrying run of results in Ligue 1.
Ansu Fati Sparks Hope
The response was immediate. Just eight minutes later, substitute Ansu Fati reacted quickest inside the box after Yvon Mvogo parried an initial effort, steering home the rebound to level the score at 1-1.
Momentum swung briefly in Monaco’s favor as the stadium came alive and the pressure mounted on the visitors.
A Brutal Finish for the Hosts
Just as Monaco looked poised to push on, Lorient struck again. In the 85th minute, Jean-Victor Makengo fired from range and a cruel deflection off Eric Dier wrong-footed Köhn to restore the visitors’ lead.
The final blow arrived moments later. At 88 minutes, Karim produced a moment of brilliance, again getting the better of Dier before curling a sublime finish into the top corner to seal a 3-1 win.
Trouble Deepens in the Standings
The defeat leaves Monaco stuck on 23 points, marooned in mid-table and now with six losses in their last seven Ligue 1 matches, a run that raises serious concerns.
For Lorient, the victory lifts them level on 23 points and confirms their recent upturn, rewarding a composed and clinical performance away from home.
Another frustrating night at Louis II summed up Monaco’s struggles, undone by lapses at the worst possible moments. Lorient, sharp and decisive when it mattered most, leave the Principality with a win that could reshape their season.
