Lyon Claim Convincing Away Win as Monaco’s Troubles Deepen
Lyon struck early, managed the key moments and walked away from the Principality with a statement win as Monaco’s night unraveled through injuries and a costly red card.
A Nightmare Start for Monaco
The new year began in the worst possible way for AS Monaco. Within the opening minutes, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was forced off after an aerial collision, immediately unsettling the hosts. Matters worsened soon after when Christian Mawissa also picked up an injury, leaving Monaco stretched and disjointed before the match had settled.
Olympique Lyonnais sensed the opportunity. Calm in possession and aggressive in their positioning, the visitors quickly took control and pushed Monaco deep into their own half.
Sulc Sets the Tone
Lyon’s dominance was rewarded in the 38th minute. From a corner kick, Nicolás Tagliafico flicked the ball on at the near post and Pavel Sulc, unmarked at the back stick, redirected it into the net to give Lyon the lead.
Monaco managed to respond just before the break. In stoppage time, a scrappy sequence in the box fell kindly for Mamadou Coulibaly, who bundled the ball home to level the score and briefly lift the home crowd.
Lyon Take Control After the Break
The momentum swung decisively after halftime. A loose touch in midfield allowed Pavel Sulc to unleash a low, angled strike from outside the area, restoring Lyon’s advantage and completing his brace.
Monaco tried to push forward, but their defensive frailties remained exposed and their attacking efforts lacked cohesion against a well-organized Lyon side.
Red Card Ends Monaco’s Hopes
Any chance of a comeback vanished in the 70th minute. Mamadou Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Nicolás Tagliafico, leaving Monaco with ten men and little room to recover.
Lyon made their numerical advantage count. With space opening up across the pitch, Abner Vinícius arrived to meet Tagliafico’s delivery and finished calmly to make it 3-1, effectively sealing the result.
Lyon Look Up, Monaco Slip Further
The victory underlines Olympique Lyonnais’ growing confidence as they climb toward the upper reaches of the Ligue 1 table. For Monaco, it was another sobering night: a third straight league defeat, multiple injuries and a red card that summed up their frustration.
At the Stade Louis II, Lyon didn’t just take three points — they exposed the cracks in a Monaco side still searching for answers as the season moves forward.
