Dier header saves Monaco blushes against Le Havre
AS Monaco opened their season with a 1-0 win against Le Havre thanks to Eric Dier -- get the latest from the Stade Océane with the Ligue 1 McDonald's team.
Shorthanded Monaco strike first
Le Havre's busy off-season was on full display for Didier Digard's home side, with no less than four new faces in the eleven at kick off (Timothée Pembélé, Junior Mwanga, Amir Richardson and Vincent Sasso). As for Filipe Luis' side, coming off a nervy Conference League win in the week, they were without several key players, including attackers Matthis Abline, Folarin Balogun, Ansu Fati and Takumi Minamino, the later continuing to recover from a long-term injury.
Monaco started the brighter, and were unlucky as Paris Brunner's header (8') was just off-target. Six minutes later, the deadlock would be broken, though, with Eric Dier nodding home at the near post from a corner by new Monaco signing Flavio Nazinho. A minute later, Monaco were close to doubling their lead, only for Brunner to be denied on the break by Lionel Mpasi. On 26 minutes, Richardson looked to have drawn Le Havre level, but the offside flag came up, and Monaco would take their narrow lead into the break.
First Ligue 1 match, first win for Filipe Luis. 👏🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/AQYLaIKItO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 23, 2026
Hradecký makes the difference
Into the second half, Digard's side would take the initiative, with another new face, former Bordeaux striker Josh Maja, coming off the bench. Le Havre would generate a raft of chances, start with Rassoul Ndiaye's close range effort on 54'. Monaco would respond with their own substitution at striker, bringing on Mika Biereth, and the big Dane would test Mpasi, only to be denied by the offside flag.
From there, it was veteran 'keeper Lukas Hradecký's time to shine, as he kept out a succession of shots in the game's dying moments, finishing with three saves. Next up for Les Monégasques is the second leg of their tie against Gornik Zabrze before facing leaders Marseille at home next Sunday. As for Le Havre, they'll travel to face another side playing in Europe as they take on Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.
The stat: 5
AS Monaco have now won their fifth straight opening encounter in Ligue 1 McDonald's, the best active streak in the division.
Read more:
