They couldn't hold on until the end. Despite leading at halftime with a two-goal advantage established in the first 20 minutes, AS Monaco saw Toulouse FC mount a last-gasp comeback at the Stadium, ultimately sharing the points in this Ligue 1 McDonald's Matchday 31 fixture (2-2).
The context 📅
The Rouge et Blanc approached this match against Toulouse with the desire to secure all three points, in order to remain in contention for a top-five finish. They would need a win to do this -- something they's accomplished in the reverse fixture at the Stade Louis-II (a 1-0 victory), as well as in three of their last four away matches in Occitanie. For their part, Toulouse are coming off a Coupe de France semi-final exit against Lens (4-1).
This is a team that has been stable for several years, with an established playing system and a solid model at the club level, both on and off the field. It's a club that is progressing and is where it should be because Toulouse is a big name and a beautiful city with great potential.
Sébastien Pocognoli
The XI 👥
To start this match, Sébastien Pocognoli opted for his 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lamine Camara returning to midfield alongside Denis Zakaria, who moved up from defence. In contrast, Christian Mawissa dropped back to left-sided central defense, while Simon Adingra returned to the eleven as a left wingback.
The scenario 🎞
The match kicked off in a great atmosphere at the Stadium, where nearly 350 Monaco supporters had taken their seats in the away section, including Vincent, our correspondent from Partout Toujours. And they weren't disappointed, because after an initial attempt by Maghnes Akliouche was tipped over the bar by Restes (5'), AS Monaco made the difference from the ensuing corner.
Found at the far post, the French international crossed towards Simon Adingra who perfectly laid it off for Jordan Teze, who rose highest to open the scoring and score his first goal of the season in the top flight (0-1, 6')!
Lamine with a moment of inspiration for the second goal!
The Rouge et Blanc had been pressing hard from the start, and after two unsuccessful attempts by the Ivorian winger (10', 14'), Lamine Camara, unmarked at 20 meters out, curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 (18')! It was a first Ligue 1 goal for number 15 as well, but what a moment of brilliance! Stunned, TFC tried to regain control, but neither Russel-Rowe (22'), nor Cresswell with a header (26'), nor Donnüm (34') could beat Lukas Hradecký.
Fati nearly delivers the knockout blow
On the contrary, it was Ansu Fati who came close to making it 3-0 with a subtle outside-of-the-foot shot that went just inches wide of the post (27'). There wasn't much else to report until halftime, which came without added time. The second half started as the first had ended, at a slow pace and with Toulouse attacks that posed no real threat, such as Donnüm's shot (50').
Toulouse make things nervy
Unfortunately, on another TFC attack, would find Russell-Rowe at the far post, and he finished from close range (1-2). Monaco then sat back slightly, although Maghnes had a chance from a direct free kick at a tight angle (67'). But it would be Cresswell who looked the most dangerous from a set piece, with his header being cleared off the line by Lukas Hradecký (74').
A frustrating draw
Then came the time for both coaches to make substitutions. Denis Zakaria chose this moment to attempt an acrobatic volley that forced Restes into a superb diving save (89'). It was a shame, because moments later, from a Cresswell header, substitute Emersonn equalized for Toulouse (2-2, 90'). It was a tough blow for AS Monaco, who were forced to settle for a draw in the dying moments. They will need to bounce back in Metz next weekend to keep their hopes of finishing in the top five alive.
Key moments 🎥
- 4': Camara's quickfire long-range shot is off target.
- 5': Akliouche's powerful shot is tipped over the bar by Restes.
- 6': Akliouche crosses for Adingra, who heads home the ball on for Teze to score (0-1).
- 10': Adingra's shot from a Balogun cross is cleared by the Toulouse defense.
- 14': Fati lays the ball off to Adingra, who shoots, but Restes makes the save.
- 18': Camara doubles the lead as he curls a beautiful shot into the top corner (0-2).
- 22': Russell-Rowe's shot is off target.
- 26': Cresswell's header is caught by Hradecký.
- 27': Fati's outside-of-the-boot shot goes just wide of the post.
- 34': Donnüm's shot on the turn goes wide.
- 50': Donnüm's shot is easily saved by Hradecký
- 61': Methalie finds Russell-Rowe at the far post who finishes (1-2)
- 67': Direct free kick, hard-hit by Akliouche
- 68': A shot by Donnüm with his left foot sails over the bar
- 74': A header by Cresswell is cleared off the line by Hradecký
- 89': An acrobatic volley from Zakaria is saved by Restes
- 90': Cresswell head the ball to Emersonn who equalizes (2-2)
The stat 📊
Maghnes Akliouche has provided 15 assists for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 since the start of last season, joint highest total during that period with Adrien Thomasson. He has provided one in two consecutive matches for only the second time in the top flight, after having done the same in May 2025 (2).
🗓️ Match details:
Saturday, April 25 2026 (21:05) - Stadium
Ligue 1 McDonald’s - Matchday 31: Toulouse FC 2-2 AS Monaco
Halftime: 0-2
Goals: Russell-Rowe (61') and Emerson (90') for Toulouse; Teze (6') and Camara (18') for AS Monaco
Bookings: Cresswell (31'), Nicolaisen (66') and Sauer (92') for Toulouse; Mawissa (63') and Hradecký (75') for AS Monaco
Toulouse: Restes - McKenzie, Cresswell, Nicolaisen © - Dönnum, Diop (Vignolo, 91'), Casseres, Vossah (Sauer, 79'), Methalie (Kamanzi, 91') - Hidalgo (Azizi, 79'), Russell-Rowe (Emersonn, 74')
Substitutes: Haug, Kamanzi, Koumbassa, Sidibé, Azizi, Sauer, Emersonn, Vignolo
Manager: Carlos Martinez Novell
AS Monaco: Hradecký - Kehrer, Faes, Mawissa - Teze, Camara, Zakaria ©, Adingra (Pogba, 74') - Akliouche (Dier, 75'), Fati (Golovin, 61') - Balogun (Biereth, 84')
Substitutes: Köhn, Dier, Nibombé, Bamba, Coulibaly, Golovin, Pogba, Touré, Biereth
Manager: Sébastien Pocognoli
