Takumi Minamino delivered the decisive moment as Monaco stunned reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 win on Saturday at the Stade Louis II.
The Japanese international struck midway through the second half, controlling an Aleksandr Golovin cross before coolly finishing past PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. The goal capped a disciplined and determined display by Monaco, who ended a run of three straight league defeats.
Despite going down to 10 men in the 80th minute after former PSG defender Thilo Kehrer was sent off following a VAR review for a foul on Ibrahim Mbaye, Monaco held their nerve through seven tense minutes of stoppage time.
The victory lifts Monaco provisionally to sixth place, seven points behind PSG, whose only other league defeat this season came against Marseille in September. PSG remain top of the table with 30 points from 14 matches, but their position is under threat. Marseille and Lens could both overtake them before the weekend ends.
Marseille, fresh from a Champions League win over Newcastle United, can move into first place with victory over Toulouse later on Saturday, while Lens have the same opportunity when they visit Angers on Sunday.
For PSG, the loss marks their second domestic setback of the season and adds to growing concerns, despite their thrilling 5-3 Champions League win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the week. The champions arrived in Monaco far from full strength, missing key players including Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Desire Doue.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele made a brief second-half appearance as he works his way back to full fitness after an injury-hit campaign, but he could not influence the result.
Monaco also welcomed Paul Pogba for another short cameo, his second appearance since returning from a long doping ban.
For Minamino and his teammates, the win provides a major boost to their season — and a timely reminder that the title race is far from settled.
