Champions League: Monaco stumble with late goal in Pafos
Pegged back by a late own goal, AS Monaco drew two-all away to Cypriot side Pafos on Wednesday evening. The Principality side have lost just once in the Champions League this season, but remain on six points after five matches.
A strong first half
With key players like Lamine Camara, Aleksandr Golovin and Denis Zakaria back in the fold, AS Monaco traveled to Cyprus to face FC Pafos full of confidence, despite having lost at the weekend in Ligue 1 McDonald's. That confidence was soon rewarded as Maghnes Akliouche broke forward on the right, and picked out Takumi Minamino at the far post, delivering a fine cross which the Japanese international was only too happy to prod home for an early lead (5'). Monaco were in the ascendancy, but would live dangerously as Bruno struck the bar moments later (8').
Pafos' opportunism would pay dividends on 18 minutes, though, as former Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz crashed in a corner to level the match. It wouldn't take long for Sébastien Pocognoli's side to respond, though, as some quick thinking by Folarin Balogun after a hospital pass by Pafos 'keeper Neofytos Michael allowed the American to put Monaco ahead, 2-1. The rest of the first half would pass without much incident, and Monaco would be good value for that scoreline at the break.
Back-to-back matches with an assist in the #UCL ✨🅰️
Maghnes Akliouche 💎 pic.twitter.com/8oYd4XIeEU— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 26, 2025
Heartbeak at full time
Seemingly energized by the break, Pafos began the second half the stronger, and Lucas Hradecky was forced into a fine save to stop Bruno ten minutes after the restart. From there, the match took on a far more choppy character as both sides struggled to keep possession. The only real heart-in-mouth moment came midway through the half, as Michael played another calamitous ball which fell to Minamino, who was unable to convert.
With time winding down, Pafos, who had made a raft of attacking changes, would find the strength to keep pushing, and their efforts would come good two minutes from time. A header by midfielder Ivan Šunjić came off the bar, surprising Mohammed Salisu, who turned the ball into his own net. It was a truly heartbreaking moment for Monaco, but a draw was probably fair given both sides' efforts. Next up for Les Monégasques in Europe will be a home match against Galatasaray, while in Ligue 1 this weekend they'll take on fellow Champions League participants PSG.
