Monaco climbed to the top of the Ligue 1 table on Saturday with a 2-1 victory against Rennes, putting them three points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. Thilo Kehrer and Folarin Balogun scored for Monaco, bringing their total to 19 points. PSG, currently at 16 points but with a superior goal difference, can reclaim the lead when they face Nice on Sunday. “After seven games, we have 19 points; that’s the reality and the truth, and we’re pleased about that,” said Monaco coach Adi Huetter.
However, he added: “The championship is not a 100-metre sprint; it’s a 400-metre race, and we’ve started very well.”
Monaco’s rainy match in Brittany was settled quickly in the first half. Kehrer scored first, Ludovic Blas equalized, and then Balogun netted the winner, all within the first 22 minutes.
Building on his strong start to the season, Monaco’s young talent, Eliesse Ben Seghir, contributed to his team’s goals.
His corner in the sixth minute found Kehrer’s head, who directed it into the net, evading the defender’s attempts on the goal line.
Five minutes later, Blas equalized for Rennes with a powerful left-footed shot from over 35 yards that soared past Philipp Koehn.
However, Balogun secured the victory for Huetter’s team in the 22nd minute by lifting the ball over the oncoming Steve Mandanda following a defense-splitting pass from Ben Seghir.
Earlier on Saturday, Lille climbed to fourth place after coming from behind to secure a home victory against struggling Toulouse.
Zakaria Aboukhlal delivered a stunning blow to the 16th-placed team by giving them an unexpected lead just six minutes before halftime. With determination and skill, he seized the opportunity when the ball returned to him off a defender. He expertly pushed the rebound shot over the line from a difficult angle, catching the opposing defense and fans by surprise. This crucial goal lifted his team’s spirits and created a palpable excitement among the supporters.
However, the match took a turn when former Manchester United playmaker Angel Gomes stepped up for Lille. In the 57th minute, he equalized with a well-placed finish, tapping in Osame Sahraoui’s lifted pass from close range. Gomes showcased his keen awareness and positioning as he found the perfect spot to receive the ball, calmly placing it into the net to restore parity. His goal reignited Lille’s hopes and added to the intensity of the match, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
Match Highlights: Bakker and Davitashvili Shine in Key Victories
Mitchel Bakker secured Lille’s second home win in a week—following Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League—with a calm finish in the 72nd minute, capping off a quick counter-attack.
A hat trick from Zuriko Davitashvili lifted Saint-Etienne out of the relegation zone as they defeated Auxerre 3-1 at home.
The Georgian striker made an impressive impact early in the match, opening the scoring in the 15th minute. He displayed remarkable skill as he dribbled the ball 40 yards into the visitors’ penalty area before letting loose a strong shot that ended up in the net, putting his team ahead.
Continuing his outstanding performance, he netted his second goal in the 54th minute. After cutting in from the left wing, he aimed with his right foot and struck the ball confidently, extending his team’s lead and showcasing his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
As the match progressed, Theo Bair reduced the deficit to one goal with just 15 minutes remaining, bringing a sense of urgency to the game. However, Davitashvili responded brilliantly by completing his hat trick in the 87th minute. He executed a delicate chipped finish over the goalkeeper with finesse and precision, sealing the victory and affirming his standout performance in the match.
On Sunday, Lyon will face Nantes, while Reims and Lens will play before PSG travels to ninth-placed Nice.
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