PARIS (AP) — Monaco picked up where it left off on Sunday before the international break, beating southern rivals Marseille 2-1 in the French league with a stunning goal from U.S. striker Folarin Balogun to strengthen hosts Monaco’s bid for a Champions League spot.
The Principality side won seven consecutive games in Ligue 1, extending their unbeaten record in league matches to 10 games.
With this victory, Monaco is tied on points with Marseille in fourth place, and one point behind Lille in third place.
Balogun, who has scored eight goals in Monaco’s last eight matches in all competitions, made it 2-0 in the 74th minute with a shot from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecki. The American then dribbled into the box and chipped a delicate lob into the top corner.
Alexander Golovin put Monaco ahead around the first hour. Marseille got one back through Amin Gouiri in the 85th minute.
The visitors, playing without the suspended Mason Greenwood, made a late attack in search of an equalizer, but Hradecky made a reflexive save to deny Facundo Medina’s shot, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shot was cleared on the line by Jourdan Theze.
sprint royalty
Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt was at the Louis II Stadium to take part in the kick-off ceremony.
The world’s fastest man, now retired, has fond memories of Monaco’s track and field stadium, having previously won the 100m at the Heraklis Athletics Championships.
Lyon’s undefeated game
Lyon’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League became even more hopeless after a 0-0 draw against Angers, making their winless run in all competitions now nine.
Coach Paulo Fonseca’s men, looking for their first win since mid-February, lacked ideas in a game where both teams had few chances.
Lyon have a tough schedule ahead of them with six Ligue 1 games remaining, including games against leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second-place Reims. The seven-time champion is currently in sixth place, two points behind Lille.
The top three French teams will qualify directly for the Champions League, while the fourth-placed team will qualify.
“We had to win today. The fight for Champions League qualification has become even more difficult, but we are not giving up,” Fonseca said.
On Friday, defending champions PSG increased their lead over Lens to four points. 3-1 win over Toulouse. PSG has one game left.
Lens endured Saturday night off. They then suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat at northern rivals Lille.
Lorient were unable to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a victory, losing 1-1 at home to Paris FC. Bamba Dieng put the hosts ahead with his eighth Ligue 1 goal of the season. Marshall Munetsi scored the equalizer in the 74th minute.
Le Havre and Auxerre drew 1-1.
Last-place Metz and second-to-last Nantes drew 0-0.
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