Anne Wong
In a surprising Champions League opener, Monaco stunned Barcelona with a 2-1 victory. George Ilenikhena, an 18-year-old debutant, proved to be the hero.
Barcelona faced an uphill battle early, losing Eric García to a red card within the first 10 minutes. Despite a spirited performance, they could not recover.
Barcelona’s troubles began early when Eric García was shown a straight red card just 10 minutes into the game. The defender fouled Takumi Minamino, who was through on goal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s errant pass led to the foul, putting Barca on the back foot immediately.
Monaco capitalized on their numerical advantage swiftly. Maghnes Akliouche opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Vanderson’s precise pass found Akliouche, who slotted the ball past an immobile Ter Stegen.
Yamal’s goal highlighted his growing reputation. Despite being just 17, he has become a key player for Barcelona. His equalizer brought Barca level and gave them a glimmer of hope.
This goal made Ilenikhena Monaco’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, breaking Kylian Mbappe’s record. It also marked him as the first player to score against the same opponent for different clubs in successive games.
The most dramatic moment came when Folarin Balogun’s penalty was overturned by VAR. He was judged to have gone down too easily under a challenge from Inigo Martinez. The decision spared Barcelona an even bigger defeat.
Yamal also became the second youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history, only behind Ansu Fati. His contribution to Barcelona’s attack was significant.
Barcelona’s manager, Hans-Dieter Flick, faced a tougher challenge with 10 men. His substitutions aimed to stabilize the team but could not change the game’s outcome.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Monaco had pulled off a significant upset. Barcelona, despite their efforts, started their Champions League campaign with a defeat.
Monaco’s victory over Barcelona was a blend of tactical brilliance and individual performances. Ilenikhena’s historic goal and Yamal’s relentless efforts stood out.
This match set the stage for an intriguing Champions League season, with both teams showing glimpses of their potential. For Barcelona, it was a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted.
