MONACO – Olympique Lyon clinched a crucial 1-0 win against AS Monaco in a gripping Ligue 1 encounter, thanks to a late goal by substitute Jefferson Jeffinho. The victory came as a significant boost for Lyon, struggling near the bottom of the league table.
The match was evenly contested, with both teams creating numerous opportunities to break the deadlock. Monaco’s offensive efforts in the first half saw Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun attempting to beat Lyon’s goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, but their shots were saved. Monaco’s Krépin Diatta and Folarin Balogun also had their attempts in the 12th minute, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Lyon’s early hopes were dampened when Ernest Nuamah’s 14th-minute effort was ruled offside.
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute. Jeffinho, who had replaced Nuamah just two minutes earlier, delivered a stunning right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom left corner of the net. The assist came from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, setting up the crucial goal for Lyon.
This result leaves Monaco in third place in the Ligue 1 standings with 30 points, trailing behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who have 36 points, and second-placed Nice with 32 points. For Lyon, the victory was a vital lifeline, lifting them from the bottom of the table to the 16th position, with a total of 13 points.
Lyon’s next challenge is a home game against Nantes, while Monaco will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures as they continue to compete near the top of the league table. The result from this match underlines the unpredictability and competitiveness of Ligue 1, with every game holding significant implications for the league standings.