Metz’s hopes of escaping relegation took a massive blow as Monaco tore them apart in a 5-2 victory. This win extends Monaco’s unbeaten run against Metz to a staggering seven games and propels them into second place in Ligue 1.
Metz, desperate for points to avoid the drop, started the match with optimism after recent wins. However, their hopes were shattered within the opening 20 minutes. Eliesse Ben Seghir found Takumi Minamino with a pinpoint pass, and the Japanese forward coolly slotted home his seventh goal of the season.
Things went from bad to worse for Metz as Monaco doubled their lead through a defensive lapse. Maghnes Akliouche strolled through the midfield unchallenged before calmly rolling the ball past the goalkeeper. Just as Metz threatened a response through Georges Mikautadze’s shot, Monaco delivered a knockout blow. Aleksandr Golovin set up Vanderson for a stunning first-time volley, making it 3-0 before half-time.
Monaco understandably took their foot off the gas in the second half, but substitute Folarin Balogun added insult to injury with a close-range finish after a misplaced backheel from Metz’s goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja.
A brief glimmer of hope emerged for Metz when Papa Amadou Diallo pulled a goal back with ten minutes remaining. Inspired by the goal, they continued to push and Koffi Kouao set up Ibou Sané to make it 4-2. However, Balogun secured the win for Monaco with his second goal of the game, putting the final score at 5-2.
Man of the Match: Takumi Minamino (Monaco) (Minamino’s clinical finishing set the tone for a dominant Monaco performance.)
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