A second consecutive victory in the Principality! On the ball from start to finish against FC Nantes, AS Monaco secured a win on matchday 22 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. It's an important result to move closer to the European qualification spots, achieved in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev. Match report. ✍️

The context 📅

The Red and Whites approached this important match eager to deliver another strong home performance after their recent resounding 4–0 victory at Stade Louis-II against Rennes (4-0). They hoped to produce a similar display as the reverse fixture at La Beaujoire (3-5), against a Canaries side that had lost their last four league matches ahead of tonight.
For me, it was one of our best matches of the season in terms of football and the emotions felt during the game! I really identified with the team at that time, with Tottenham and Nantes (...). In any case, we put in a good performance, even if it was weaker defensively, but at least we chose to take control of the game and take risks!

Sébastien Pocognoli

The lineup 👥

To try and secure all three points, and despite numerous absences, coach Sébastien Pocognoli opted to switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation. With Wout Faes back in at central defence, Denis Zakaria moved back into midfield alongside Lamine Camara. Up front, the trio of Akliouche, Golovin, and Adingra supported Folarin Balogun.

The match 🎞

The clash started with a slow tempo, though Folarin Balogun troubled Lopes with a low cross-shot (8') before Awaziem nearly scored an own goal following a powerful cross from Vanderson (13'). The Red and Whites then upped the ante as Adingra fired off a right-footed effort (18'), “Balo” managed one with his left and Faes, with a header, all came close to opening the scoring (19').

Simon Adingra, a dream first at Stade Louis-II!

The pressure mounted on the Nantes goal and the American striker, after some intense pressing, was denied by Lopes, but the ball fell kindly to Adingra, who finished with his left foot from close range (1–0, 25')! Moments later, Aleksandr Golovin once again set up the Ivorian winger, who fired home with his right foot to grab a superb brace on his first appearance at Stade Louis-II (2–0, 28')!

An open end to the first half

Straight from the off Sébastien Pocognoli's men pressed high, and AS Monaco’s number 10 showed great unselfishness, to set up captain Denis Zakaria who curled his shot past Anthony Lopes and into the top corner (3–0, 30')! In the process, “Golo” registered his fourth league assist of the season.

The Ivorian forward, having already bagged a brace, then came close to sealing a hat-trick, but his shot wasblocked (40'). Unfortunately, Nantes pulled one back just before half time thanks to a close-range finish from Centonze (3–1, 45+2').

United Red and Whites see out the win

Right after the restart, the Canaries pushed forward through Matthis Abline, but Phillip Köhn gathered the ball comfortably (47th'). The match then dropped in tempo after Aleksandr Golovin was sent off (65'). Following the red card, chances were few and far between. FC Nantes applied pressure late on, but Wout Faes cleared the danger (83'). The Red and Whites stood firm and even created the final big chance of the game, but Ansu Fati wasdenied by Lopes (90+4').

The players from the Principality, dominant and united, claimed a 3–1 victory in an eventful match. Next up is the welcome of Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie at Stade Louis-II on Tuesday (21:00). DAGHE MUNEGU !!! 🇲🇨

The highlights 🎥

5': Shot from Tabibou blocked by Faes
8': Through ball from Henrique to Balogun, who fires just wide
13': Strong cross from Vanderson toward Balogun, Awaziem nearly scores an own goal
18': Adingra curls an effort from the edge of the box just past the top corner
19': Balogun chances his luck with his left, Lopes punches it away
19': Huge save from Lopes from a close-range header by Faes
25': Goal! Simon Adingra finishes from close range (1–0)
28': Goal! Simon Adingra doubles his tally after excellent work from Golovin (2–0)
30': Goal! Denis Zakaria curls a shot into the top corner following a tidy assist from Golovin (3–0)
40e': Adingra nearly completes a hat-trick, but his shot is blocked
45+2': Goal! Centonze scores from inside the box (3–1)
47': Abline’s shot saved by Philipp Köhn
56': Balogun’s shot deflected for a corner after a 5-on-2 situation
83': Wout Faes tackles and clears the danger
90+4': Duel between Ansu Fati and Anthony Lopes, goalkeeper blocks the attempt

The stats 📊

🗓️ The match sheet:

Friday 13th February 2026 (21:05) – Stade Louis-II
Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 22: AS Monaco 3–1 FC Nantes
Half time: 3-1
Goals: Adingra (25', 28') and Zakaria (30e) for AS Monaco; Centonze (45e+2') for FC Nantes
Yellow cards: Camara (45'), Coulibaly (45+3') and Teze (82') for AS Monaco; Awaziem (87') and Sissoko (90') for FC Nantes 
Red cards: Golovin (65') for AS Monaco
AS Monaco: Köhn - Vanderson (Diatta 76'), Kehrer, Faes, C.Henrique - Zakaria (c) (Teze 76'), Camara (Fati, 62') - Akliouche (Coulibaly, 43'), Golovin, Adingra - Balogun (Biereth 76')
Substitutes: Lienard, Nibombé, Teze, Bamba, Coulibaly, Diatta, Biereth, Brunner, Fati
Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli
FC Nantes: Lopes (c) – Amian, Yousuf (El-Arabi 78'), Sylla (Cozza, 46') – Centonze, Tabibou, Coquelin (Ganago, 66'), Kaba (Lepenant 66'), Machado – Cabella (Sissoko 66'), Abline
Substitutes: Carlgren, Awaziem, Cozza, Lepenant, Sissoko, El-Arabi, Ganago, Guirassy, Mohamed
Coach: Ahmed Kantari

See also