One swing of Jonathan Gradit's boot under pressure from a Vanderson cross settled a nervy night at Stade Louis II — and lifted Monaco back to the provisional summit of Ligue 1. The 2-1 victory over a Lens side playing its first match under Yannick Cahuzac preserved the hosts' unbeaten start, while the visitors remained stuck on four points.
Brunner strikes amid disciplinary shadow
Paris Brunner made his mark in the 32nd minute, sliding a first-time finish into the net from six yards after Matthis Abline chased down a long Vanderson ball on the right and cut a pass back into the centre. It was a debut assist for Abline on his first Monaco start, and a reminder of Brunner's value while he awaits a league disciplinary verdict over a throat-slash celebration in his previous match.
The goal stood in contrast to Monaco's earlier frustrations, as referee Clément Turpin and VAR intervened repeatedly. Lens thought they had won a penalty in the 20th minute for a potential Sadibou Sané handball, only for Turpin to review the pitchside monitor and wave play on. Monaco then had three goals ruled out for offside — two from Abline and one from Edan Diop — before Brunner finally found a legal finish.
Udol levels before Gradit own goal decides
Lens responded after the break through Matthieu Udol, who glanced a Florian Thauvin corner past Lukáš Hradecký at the near post in the 57th minute. The goal rewarded the visitors' persistence — they finished with 12 total shots to Monaco's nine and eight corners to the hosts' two — and briefly tilted momentum toward Cahuzac's side.
But Monaco's width proved decisive in the 84th minute. Vanderson drilled a cross into the six-yard box, and Gradit's attempted intervention diverted the ball into his own net. The result meant Folarin Balogun's first appearance since the World Cup — following a collapsed deadline move to Everton — ended with three points, while Mohammed Salisu returned from a long injury lay-off in stoppage time.
Monaco have now won four of their opening five league matches for a third consecutive campaign, with 13 points from five games. For Lens, the Cahuzac era begins with a narrow defeat and the pressure of a one-win opening stretch.
Match Information
Competition: Ligue 1
Date & Time: Friday 18 September 2026, 20:45 CET
Venue: Stade Louis II, Monaco
Referee: Clement Turpin
