AS Monaco Beats Metz (2-1), Keeps Champions League Dreams Alive | L. Hrádecký

AS Monaco secured a crucial 2-1 victory against FC Metz on Ligue 1 Matchday 32, a result that keeps the club's hopes for Champions League qualification alive. Sébastien Pocognoli's men traveled to face the league's bottom team with a mandatory win in mind to stay in the European race, while Metz faced potential relegation. The first half saw AS Monaco dominate possession but fail to convert their chances, showing notable clumsiness in the final third with seven shots off target. Against the run of play, it was Les Grenats who opened the scoring just after the break. Jessy Deminguet outjumped everyone to head home a perfectly struck free-kick from Gauthier Hein in the 49th minute (1-0). AS Monaco quickly regained control of the ball and their efforts were rewarded. Prolific striker Folarin Balogun equalized in the 61st minute, scoring his 9th goal in 10 appearances with a fine right-footed shot from the edge of the box that nestled into Pape Sy's bottom corner (1-1). Metz then came close to regaining the lead, with a Gauthier Hein header striking Lukas Hrádecky's post. The players from the Principality finally took the lead in the dying seconds of the match. After a superb one-two with Maghnes Akliouche, Caio Henrique found Ansu Fati in the opposing penalty area. The Spanish forward's shot went between Pape Sy's legs and into the back of the net, sealing AS Monaco's victory. With this important success, AS Monaco overtakes Olympique de Marseille and climbs to 6th place in the Ligue 1 standings with 54 points, thus reigniting the race for the Champions League. For FC Metz, who remain at the bottom with 16 points, this defeat confirms their relegation to Ligue 2, as they can no longer catch AJ Auxerre, the barragiste team with 25 points.