- Eric Dier scored a late penalty in stoppage time to earn Monaco a draw against Manchester City
- Manchester City, who were the dominant side throughout the match, would have won it by a huge margin if they had taken their chances
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier scored a late penalty in stoppage time to earn Monaco a draw against Manchester City.
The Cytizens were on course to a deservedly 2-1 win over Monaco when the match’s referee Jesus Gil Manzano was sent to the video assistant referee monitor to review Nico Gonzalez’s high boot on Dier at a free-kick. Manzano ruled the high boot as a foul and awarded the hosts a penalty. Tensions boiled due to the referee’s decision and a number of City’s backroom staff were sent off.
ALSO READ: Paris Saint-Germain score late to beat Barcelona 2-1
Dier, a centre-back, stepped up for the ocassion and made no mistake as he sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way from 12 yards.
Manchester City, who were the dominant side throughout the match, would have won it by a huge margin if they had taken their chances. The Premier League giants hit the post twice and fired 18 shots against Monaco.
Erling Haaland, who has started the 2025-26 campaign on a high note, was on the scoresheet once again last night, finding the back of the net twice in the first half. The Norwegian hadn’t touched the ball for the first 15 minutes of the game when he beautifully controlled Josko Gvardiol’s pass before opening the scoring with a cool finish.
Haaland showcased his ruthlessness in front of goal once again shortly before the end of the first half when he leaped high above Mohammed Salisu and headed home Nico O’Reilly’s cross into the box. The 25-year-old has now scored 52 goals in 50 Champions League matches. He’s ninth on the list of European Cup top scorers.
Monaco Vs Manchester City Match Report
The Monaco vs Manchester City game looked lively from kick-off. Both sides were playing the game with the aim of scoring first.
Despite not being involved in the game in the opening 14 minutes, Haaland made the difference at the Stade Louis II with his first touch of the ball. The Norwegian controlled Gvardiol’s dangerous pass into the box before lifting it over Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to give Manchester City the lead.
However, Monaco levelled the scores barely three minutes later when Jordan Teze unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box. The ball went past Donnarumma before hitting the top corner.
City controlled the remainder of the first half and almost took the lead through Phil Foden, whose effort struck the crossbar. Haaland had a good opportunity to restore hi side’s lead but failed to pounce on a loose ball. The 25-year-old made up for that miss with a brilliant header in the 43rd minute.
Monaco seemed more integrated in the second half and looked threatening in attack. But when it seemed like they had run out of ideas and City were going to walk away with all three points, the referee awarded them a penalty in stoppage time after a foul on Eric Dier. The 31-year-old sent Donnarumma the wrong way to level the scores for Monaco.
ALSO READ: Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League
Manchester City now have four points after two games in the league phase of the Champions League. Speaking after the match, City boss Pep Guardiola said many things were against them in the match.
“I haven’t seen the stats or the chances, but I think we were much more energetic than them, sometimes that isn’t possible. Many things was against us in situations. Haaland played really good. He plays to score goals, to have chances. The team was really, really good.” Sky Sports quotes Guardiola.
