UCL: Balogun Strikes as Monaco Edge Galatasaray 1-0

Balogun bags winner as Monaco beat Galatasaray

Folarin Balogun scores seventh goal of season as Monaco beat Galatasaray 1-0 in UEFA Champions League.

Monaco's goalkeeper was forced off due to injury just after the hour mark, with Günay Güvenç replacing him...

Monaco's home fans were quiet in the first 15 minutes, protesting the club's management, and things didn't get much better on the pitch, with little to cheer about early on.

Folarin Balogun scored his third successive UCL goal, securing a 1-0 win for Monaco over Galatasaray with a second-half strike. The striker's persistence paid off, having missed two promising chances earlier.

Galatasaray had an early chance to take the lead, but Ilkay Gündoğan surprisingly blazed his shot over from just eight yards out in the 13th minute. Monaco started to threaten midway through the half, with Maghnes Akliouche forcing Uğurcan Çakir to parry behind, and Balogun heading over from the resulting corner.

Monaco continued to press, with Akliouche drawing another save from Çakir on the half-hour mark. Leroy Sané had the visitors' first effort on target four minutes later, shooting straight at goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky after jinking through the home defense.

Victor Osimhen was a constant threat to Monaco's defense, looking to extend his scoring run in major European games. The striker had netted 12 goals in his previous eight games and was looking to add to his tally.

Takumi Minamino also had a chance to open the scoring for Monaco, but his volley was easily handled by Uğurcan Çakir. The Japanese winger's past three goals for Monaco had all been match openers, but it wasn't his night.

Japan international Keito Nakamura had a chance to change the game, but was fouled by Davinson Sánchez in the box. A penalty was awarded after a VAR check, but Monaco captain Denis Zakaria's spot-kick was saved by Çakir's outstretched leg.

Full time.#ASMGS #UCL pic.twitter.com/fU5ROONnNj

— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) December 9, 2025

Monaco's goalkeeper was forced off due to injury just after the hour mark, with Günay Güvenç replacing him. This disruption seemed to work in Monaco's favor, as they capitalized on it almost immediately. Galatasaray failed to clear a corner in the 68th minute, and Folarin Balogun pounced on the loose ball in the six-yard box, scoring his seventh goal of the season across all competitions and becoming Monaco's top scorer.

Balogun's goal secured a 1-0 win for Monaco over Galatasaray, extending their unbeaten streak in the Champions League to five matches. This victory puts Monaco on nine points, level with Galatasaray, and sets them up for a tough match against Real Madrid next.

Monaco's win over Galatasaray was a much-needed one, considering they've only scored four goals in six home matches. They continued to push forward, and Lamine Camara had a great chance to seal the win, but his side-footed effort from 15 yards went over.

The victory puts Monaco on nine points, level with Galatasaray, but behind them on goal difference. With two rounds of the UCL league phase left, both teams are in a good position to make the knockout round play-offs.