In a captivating encounter in France’s top football division, Eliesse Ben Seghir made a notable impact by scoring two goals, while his teammate George Ilenikhena, also a teenager, contributed a goal of his own as Monaco staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 3-1 victory against Strasbourg on Saturday. The goals from Monaco came during a thrilling late surge in the second half, demonstrating their impressive counterattacking capabilities and technical prowess that ultimately overwhelmed their opponents. Strasbourg had initially taken the lead in the first half, putting Monaco on the back foot.
This victory allowed Monaco to close the gap on the league leaders, Paris Saint-Germain, moving to just three points behind them. Paris Saint-Germain was scheduled to play against Angers later on Saturday, adding further significance to Monaco’s triumph at Strasbourg’s Stade de la Meinau.
The match featured a surreal moment when referee Bastien Dechepy requested to be replaced in a manner typically reserved for injured players. In the 57th minute, he indicated discomfort by pointing to his right thigh, resulting in fourth official Benjamin Lepaysant taking over officiating duties. Immediately after taking charge, Lepaysant awarded Monaco a penalty in the 79th minute following a review of the footage.
Ben Seghir exhibited composure under pressure as he converted the penalty, marking a pivotal moment in the match. The young Moroccan midfielder further distinguished himself by finishing a rapid counterattack in the 89th minute, sealing his brace for the day. Shortly thereafter, in the 91st minute, Ilenikhena added the final touch with a well-executed finish, securing the three points for Monaco.
Strasbourg had opened the scoring in this match in the 29th minute when a lapse in defense allowed Guéla Doué to find the net with a well-placed shot that slipped past goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki and nestled inside the left post.
On the same day, Lens was set to compete against Nantes, while earlier in the week, Marseille faced a disappointing loss at home to Auxerre, suffering a 3-1 defeat that drew discontent from their fans.