Monaco shock PSG with a 1–0 win as Takumi Minamino scores the decisive goal, handing the champions their second Ligue 1 defeat of the season
Monaco shock PSG in one of the biggest surprises of the Ligue 1 season after Takumi Minamino’s second-half strike earned the principality side a hard-fought 1–0 victory over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday at the Stade Louis II.
Also read: Dembele spurs PSG’s thrashing of Leverkusen in UCL
The Japanese international, 30, produced the decisive moment just after the hour mark when he controlled an Aleksandr Golovin cross before beating Lucas Chevalier with a composed finish.
His goal ended Monaco’s three-game losing streak and revived their push for the European places.
Monaco were forced to dig deep to protect their lead after former PSG defender Thilo Kehrer was sent off in the 80th minute following a VAR review for a foul on Ibrahim Mbaye.
Despite seven minutes of added time, the hosts held firm to claim a vital win.
The result leaves Monaco provisionally sixth on the table, seven points behind PSG. It also hands the champions their second league defeat of the campaign, the first having come away to Marseille in September.
PSG remain top for now with 30 points from 14 matches, but their lead is under threat. Marseille—buoyed by their Champions League win over Newcastle United—could climb above them later on Saturday with victory against Toulouse, while Lens will also have the chance to go first when they visit Angers on Sunday.
The champions were far from full strength, with Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, and Desire Doue all absent, while Ousmane Dembele featured for just over half an hour as he continues to regain fitness after an injury-plagued season.
The Ballon d’Or winner was unable to influence the game as PSG struggled to find rhythm following their 5–3 Champions League win against Tottenham Hotspur midweek.
For Monaco, the match also saw another late cameo from Paul Pogba, who is gradually rebuilding his competitive involvement after returning from his long doping suspension last week.
Also read: PSG’s Kvaratskhelia to miss Barcelona clash due to injury
PSG have now already matched the number of Ligue 1 defeats they suffered across each of the last two full seasons, raising further questions about their consistency as the title race tightens.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
