Ligue 1: Monaco Moves into Top Three with 3-1 Win Over Struggling Saint-Étienne

Monaco climbed back into the top three with a 3-1 win over Saint-Étienne, securing crucial points in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Monaco's impressive 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard has boosted their chances of securing a Champions League spot. The victory extended Monaco's winning streak to five matches, showcasing their current form.

With this win, Monaco moved up to second place in the Ligue 1 table. Saint-Etienne, on the other hand, remains in the relegation zone, struggling to find form and safety. The match saw Monaco dominate, with goals from Maghnes Akliouche, Eliot El Masrati, and Folarin Balogun, while Saint-Etienne's Zhone Davitashvili scored a consolation goal.

Paris Saint-Germain's hopes were boosted by their recent home form and Monaco's struggles away from home, but their optimism was short-lived. A swift Monaco move ended with Maghnes Akliouche scoring the opener, leaving PSG with a tough task.

Akliouche had another chance to double Monaco's lead, and goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur made a comfortable save from Jordan Teze. Despite Monaco's promising positions, Larsonneur was rarely tested, and Les Monegasques' finishing proved sufficient to give them an early advantage.

Saint-Étienne had a chance to equalize before halftime through Irvin Cardona, but his delicate chip over Philipp Kohn's goal went narrowly wide. Despite trailing 1-0, Les Verts showed glimpses of threat, hinting at potential opportunities in the second half.

Monaco keeps the fight for Champions League places ON FIRE! 🇲🇨🤯 pic.twitter.com/INU8KTqGPO

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 3, 2025

Their efforts paid off after the break when substitute Breel Embolo's headed effort hit the ground and went over, but shortly after, St-Étienne managed to find an equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1. However, Monaco would go on to score two more goals through Eliot El Masrati and Folarin Balogun, securing a 3-1 win.

Zuriko Davitashvili initially missed a great chance by opting to shoot himself, despite having Ibrahima Wadji open for a free shot on goal. However, he made amends with a stunning strike, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the area.

Monaco were determined to secure the win in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. They regained the lead just three minutes later through Al-Musrati's deflected shot, his first goal in Ligue 1. The win was sealed with about 15 minutes remaining, as Folarin Balogun coolly finished to make it 3-1.

Saint-Étienne pushed forward in search of a comeback but ultimately fell short, leaving them one point shy of the relegation play-off spot and three points from automatic safety.

Meanwhile, Monaco's win propelled them back into the top three, securing a UEFA Champions League qualification spot. This victory marked just their second win in five league matches, highlighting the significance of the three points for their European aspirations.