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Match Reports

Lorient frustrate Monaco for third win in five

FC Lorient consigned AS Monaco to a record seventh defeat in eight Ligue 1 McDonald's matches as Les Merlus struck three times in the second half to get a vital win.
E. DEVIN
Published on 01/16/2026 at 20:00
2-minute read
In-form Bamba Dieng struck again to help lead FC Lorient to a rare road win

FC Lorient consigned AS Monaco to a record seventh defeat in eight Ligue 1 McDonald's matches as Les Merlus struck three times in the second half to get a vital win. Catch up on all the action from the Stade Louis-II with our match report.

A debut for Faes

Between suspensions and injuries, Monaco manager Sébastien Pocognoli had limited options for rotating his side, but new signing Wout Faes would make his debut in central defence, with Ansu Fati and Vanderson both fit enough for the bench. As for Lorient, who entered the match unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, there were also few changes as Olivier Pantaloni looked to keep his side moving forward.

Monaco started the brighter of the two sides, with Folarin Balogun forcing a pair of saves from Yvan Mvogo in the match's first ten minutes. After somewhat weathering the storm, the visitors then gradually grew into the match, pressing high and pinning the Principality side back. Pablo Pagis had the best chance of the first half hour, but his rasping shot hit the top of the bar (27'). Monaco would continue to have the rub of the green ten minutes later, as Bamba Dieng saw what could have been the opener narrowly flagged off. 

Lorient spring to life

Coming back from the interval, Maghnes Akliouche provided a spark, but couldn't get past the impressive Mvogo (six saves). The hosts' lack of finishing would soon prove costly as Dieng would score the opener midway through the half (68'). Ansu Fati, freshly returned from injury, would strike a reply eight minutes later, but Lorient's clinical play would make the difference as goals from Jean-Victor Makengo (85') and substitute Dermane Karim (87') would seal the result for Les Merlus.

With the result, ahead of the rest of Matchday 18 in Ligue 1 McDonald's, FC Lorient now sit 12th, just a point behind the Principality side ahead of a Breton derby next Saturday. As for AS Monaco, things hardly look to get easier for Les Monégasques, who face a trip to Real Madrid on Tuesday before returning to Ligue 1 action away to Le Havre next weekend. 

The Stat: 7

Monaco scored just once with their seven shots on target, with Yvan Mvogo keeping the hosts at bay.

Read more:

>> Matchday 18: What to watch this weekend

>> Strasbourg-Metz: All You Need to know on the Derby de l'Est

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