They ended 2025 on a high note. After a match where both teams had their moments, AS Monaco's players secured their qualification for the round of 32 of the Coupe de France with a 2-1 victory over AJ Auxerre, thanks to a brace from the Danish striker Mika Biereth, who was clinical in the penalty box.Recap ✍️

The context 📅

TheRouge et Blanc had a clear objective: to remain in contention in all competitions before the start of 2026. To achieve this, they absolutely had to qualify on away to AJ Auxerre, in the only match pitting two Ligue 1 teams against each other in these round of 64 matches of the Coupe de France. But above all, they will need to bounce back after a narrow defeat  at the Vélodrome against OM (1-0) to conclude 2025 in the best possible way.

The XI 👥

At kickoff of this match between two big teams from the top flight, Sébastien Pocognoli welcomed the return of Christian Mawissa in the defensive line, and he opted for a diamond-shaped midfield composed of Zakaria, Golovin, Akliouche, and Minamino, in the absence of Lamine Camara, who is away playing in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. The Biereth-Balogun duo was deployed at the forefront of the Monaco attack.

The scenario 🎞

This match got off to a strong start under the gloomy skies of the Stade Abbé-Deschamps, with 500 Monaco supporters present in the away end. On the first play of the game, Mika Biereth, played through on goal, attempted a lob over De Percin but missed the target (1'). Immediately afterwards, a flurry of chances rained down on the Auxerre goal with Maghnes Akliouche (3') and Folarin Balogun (5') both coming close to opening the scoring.

Mikagoal finally finds the opening!

It was indeed Mika Biereth who, after a delightful cross from the French international, opened the scoring with a magnificent lobbed header (9', 0-1)! Sébastien Pocognoli's players continued to press, and the American, very active in attack, came close to doubling the lead twice (12', 13'). The same happened for Maghnes Akliouche, who was perfectly set up by Denis Zakaria, who was denied by the AJ Auxerre 'keeper (27').

An equalizer against the run of play

The Auxerrois unfortunately get back into the game against the run of play with a penalty kick powerfully taken by Dioussé (29'). This first half lost intensity following the injury of Takumi Minamino (36'), and the two teams head to the locker rooms tied at one-all after a start to the match dominated by the players from the Principality. Right from the restart, AJ Auxerre went on the attack Lukáš Hradecký pulled out all the stops to save a shot from Oppegard before Matondo then missed the target (48').

Mika the fox doubles up!

The pace then slowed down a notch, before Folarin Balogun sparked a revival for the Rouge et Blanc (67'). A few moments later..., Mamadoudou Coulibaly executed a neat little flick inside the penalty area before perfectly setting up Mika Biereth, who, with a powerful strike, scored his second goal (74', 1-2), putting Monaco back in the lead! Following this goal, the American striker came close to extending the lead after receiving a perfect pass from Maghnes Akliouche (79').

Qualification secured and an eye towards 2026

The Dane, meanwhile, came close to scoring a hat trick with a powerful shot, but saw De Percin make a fine save before Thilo Kehrer slammed a header off the post (83'). Towards the end of the match, theRouge et Blancgoalkeeper had to be vigilant (90', 90+4') to save AS Monaco from conceding the equalizer!


Following this opportunity, the referee blew the final whistle, signifying qualification for the round of 32 of the Coupe de France for Sébastien Pocognoli's men. Now, it's time for the winter break, before returning in 2026 with a home match against Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday, January 3rd (5 PM) for the 17th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald's.DAGHE MUNEGU!!! 🇲🇨

 Key moments 🎥

1': A lob by Mika Biereth goes wide
3': Akliouche's volley goes over the bar
5': Balogun's shot from the center is saved by De Percin
7': Hradecký makes an easy save9': Mika Biereth scores with a header from a superb cross by Akliouche (0-1)
12': Balogun's header goes over the bar
13': Balogun is denied by De Percin in a one-on-one
19': Akliouche's header misses the target
24': Balogun's cross-shot goes untouched
27': De Percin makes a save in a one-on-one against Akliouche29': Dioussé scores from the penalty spot with a shot straight down the middle (1-1)
47': Sy misses the target from the edge of the box
48': Huge save by Hradecký before Matondo misses the target
67': Balogun's shot at the near post is saved by De Percin74': Biereth scores with a powerful shot after excellent work by Coulibaly (1-2)
79': Balogun, perfectly set up by Akliouche, misses his shot
83': Mika Biereth has a shot before Kehrer hits the post
90': Hradecký saves an Auxerre header
90+4': Superb diving save by Hradecký to his right

 🗓️ Match details:

Sunday, December 21 2025 (14:45) - Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps
Coupe de France - Round of 64: AJ Auxerre 1-2 AS Monaco

Halftime: 1-1

Goals: Dioussé (29') for AJ Auxerre; Biereth (9', 74') for AS Monaco
Bookings: Sy (45+2'), Danois (54'), Senaya (75') and Matondo (78') for Auxerre; Mawissa (31'), C. Henrique (45+5') and Zakaria (68') for AS Monaco
AJ Auxerre: De Percin - Sy (Coulibaly 63'), Senaya, Sierralta, Mensah - Matondo (Devernois 81'), Diousse ©︎, Danois (Zaddy 81') - Osman (Dioubate 89'), Rodin (Cissokho 63'), Oppegard

Substitutes: Léon, Diamalunda, Petit Dol, Cissokho, Coulibaly, Devernois, Dioubate, Zaddy
Manager: Christophe Pélissier

AS Monaco: Hradecký - Mawissa (Ouattara 65'), Kehrer, Salisu, C.Henrique - Akliouche, Zakaria ©︎, Golovin (Idumbo 65') - Minamino (Coulibaly 36') - Balogun, Biereth (Ilenikhena 84')

Substitutes: Lienard, Ouattara, Bamba, Cabral, Coulibaly, Idumbo, Touré, Brunner, Ilenikhena

Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli

See also