Ligue 1: Monaco Move into Third with Hard-Fought 3-2 Win Over Rennes

Monaco secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Rennes in Ligue 1, with Maghnes Akliouche scoring a stunning overhead kick.

Monaco ended their four-game winless run in the domestic league with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Rennes, who extended their own losing streak to four games, their worst run in over four years. Monaco's win marked a significant turnaround, given their struggles in 2025, and Adi Hutter's men were determined to make a statement.

Monaco dominated the early stages of the match, and it was surprising that they didn't take the lead sooner. Mika Biereth's through-ball sent Takumi Minamino one-on-one with Brice Samba, but the Rennes goalkeeper made a crucial save to deny Monaco an early advantage. However, Monaco's relentless pressure eventually paid off in spectacular fashion.

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙑𝙄𝘾𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙄𝙎 𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙎 👑🇲🇨

𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗨 ❤️🤍

3️⃣-2️⃣ #ASMSRFC pic.twitter.com/gclkcDIhEe

— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 25, 2025

Maghnes Akliouche scored an incredible overhead kick in the 15th minute, after being expertly picked out by Vanderson in the area. The goal was a just reward for Monaco's fantastic start to the game. Rennes, on the other hand, were struggling to find their footing, and they were fortunate not to fall further behind when Aleksandr Golovin's powerful effort crashed against the crossbar.

Rennes managed to weather the storm and equalized on the stroke of halftime, thanks to a costly mistake by Radosław Majecki. The goalkeeper's error allowed Mahamadou Nagida to tap in an easy equalizer, after Ludovic Blas' initial effort had been pushed into his path. The goal gave Rennes a lifeline, and they would go on to make a game of it in the second half.

Monaco's confidence remained unshaken despite conceding just before halftime, and they began the second half with renewed vigor. The team's energetic start was nearly rewarded with a goal, but Mika Biereth's early effort went awry. However, he made amends in the 52nd minute, firing a low shot that slipped under the hapless Brice Samba, after being expertly played through on goal by Lamine Camara.

Rennes continued to underperform, despite having a game to chase, and Monaco capitalized on their opponent's struggles. Maghnes Akliouche, who had scored an incredible overhead kick earlier, turned provider this time, setting up Aleksandr Golovin at the back post. Golovin made no mistake, poking the ball home to extend Monaco's lead to 3-1.

Rennes refused to give up, however, and Amine Gouiri narrowed the deficit to 3-2 with his third goal of the season. The opportunity arose after Thilo Kehrer's failed clearance presented Gouiri with an easy finish. This set the stage for a tense final 20 minutes, but Monaco's defense held firm, securing a crucial win that marked their first consecutive victories in over two months. The triumph also propelled Monaco into third place in Ligue 1.