Monaco battle for draw against Auxerre
Despite turning the match completely around in the second half, AS Monaco were unable to pick up a vital three points at home against AJ Auxerre on Sunday afternoon. Get the latest from the Stade-Louis II with our recap.
Auxerre impress from the off
Having been drubbed by Paris FC last weekend, AS Monaco needed to get back to winning ways as they hosted AJ Auxerre to kick off Sunday's action in Ligue 1 McDonald's. With Marseille losing and Lille drawing, Saturday's results had gone their way in the chase for European football next season. To face the Burgundians, they would have to do without the suspended Lamine Camara, and with Aleksandr Golovin only fit enough for the bench, while Auxerre would play with a full-strength side.
It wouldn't take long for France U-21 international Kévin Danois to open the scoring. After Monaco failed to clear a corner, his deflected effort would beat Lukas Hradecky (11'), and the Finn would have to be sharp again ten minutes later to get down and stop Fredrik Oppegard on the counter. While Hradecky would deny Monaco at that juncture, the visitors would strike again through Lassine Sinayoko, the Mali international scoring with a fine bit of control and shot on the turn from edge of the area (32'). Neither side would come closer to changing the scoreline before the break, though, and it remained 2-0 at the half.
TWO GOALS IN 3 MINUTES FOR MONACO 🇲🇨
56' Ansu Fati ⚽️
59' Folarin Balogun ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nfQLMwmy0O— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 19, 2026
Monaco battle back
Monaco would start the brighter in the second half with an impressive turn from Ansu Fati, though and on 52 minutes, Jordan Teze would force a flying save from Donovan Léon, who managed to tip the Dutchman's effort over the bar. Three minutes later, Fati's introduction would tell with a fine solo effort as the Barcelona loanee cut insisde and found the bottom corner from just outside the area to make it 2-1.
After taking nearly a hour to break their duck, Monaco would need just two minutes to find a second goal, with Folarin Balogun converting from the spot after Fati was brought down to level the score at two-all. Balogun then nearly gave his side the lead midway through the half, but only for the flag to come up. Monaco continued to push and Krépin Diatta would have a header fly over the bar after a cross by Maghnes Akliouche. As it was, though, Monaco were unable to take the lead, and remained two points off fourth place, giving the initiative to the likes of Rennes and Lyon in their matches later in the day.
