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PEP GUARDIOLA’S bold decision in the second half didn’t pay off, as former England international Eric Dier found the net with a contentious late equalizer.
With Manchester City seemingly in the lead in Montecarlo, Guardiola chose to rest key midfielder Rodri shortly before the hour mark to manage his fitness.
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However, substitute Nico Gonzalez committed a late foul after accidentally striking Dier in the face while attempting a header.
The ex-Tottenham player composed himself to convert the penalty, denying the visitors a well-deserved victory—just as Erling Haaland seemed likely to secure the game for them.
It’s easy to assume the Norwegian would excel in a gambler’s arena.
He continually proves to be a pivotal player for City.
No matter the stakes, Haaland consistently capitalizes on his chances. He scored with his very first touch at the Louis II stadium and later headed home to regain the lead for his team after half an hour.
The Etihad manager commended his striker’s ‘insane’ statistics—and it’s no surprise why.
That marks 52 goals in 50 matches in a competition he thrives in, including 17 in just 10 games for both club and country this season.
In this form, many would have guessed he’d leave with the match ball—the only surprise being that he didn’t.
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Yet, just as it seemed he’d done enough to secure two wins from two games for his team.
The last meeting between these two sides, a last-16 clash in 2017, ended in a Champions League classic—concluding 6-6 on aggregate—and this match unfolded in a similarly exhilarating manner.
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Only John Stones and Bernardo Silva remained from that unforgettable matchup—and Silva was on the opposing side back then.
With Monaco dealing with injury issues, another high-scoring affair was anticipated, and the early moments supported that premise.
Erling Haaland hadn’t even touched the ball when he sprinted between two defenders to connect with a lofted pass from Josko Gvardiol.
The Norwegian had a lot to accomplish but made it look simple as he delicately lobbed the ball over home keeper Philipp Kohn to give City the lead.
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Unexpectedly, Guardiola’s team aimed to end a streak of four consecutive away defeats in this competition, dating back to the previous November.
They found themselves equalized just three minutes in, as Monaco surged forward on the left, with Krepin Diatta pulling the ball back.
Jordan Teze—a Dutch international defender playing in an unorthodox midfield role—took full advantage, unleashing a stunning 20-yard effort into the top corner.
This strike left City’s imposing new keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with no chance.
Former United midfielder Paul Pogba, watching from the stands while he works on regaining fitness following an 18-month doping suspension, surely appreciated that effort.
City seemed momentarily rattled but gradually found their rhythm, with the home side adopting a more defensive stance.
Phil Foden got into a promising position inside the box but saw his attempt hit the underside of the bar and bounce just shy of the goal line.
Kohn made vital saves against shots from Nico O’Reilly and TIjjani Reijnders, with Haaland firing the rebound of the latter into the side netting.
Though the angle was tight, Haaland appeared frustrated—defenders across Europe know that giving him opportunities is a risky endeavor.
Just before the half-time break, he redeemed himself by outjumping Mohammed Salisu to connect with O’Reilly’s curling cross, heading it into the corner.
It was a textbook striker’s header, perfectly directed beyond Kohn.
The £51.4 million forward had touched the ball only seven times throughout the half but had already scored two goals—he could have had a third.
Full credit to Monaco, who refused to back down, with Donnarumma needing to act swiftly to block a shot from Maghnes Akliouche.
In truth, the home side experienced their best phase of the match, with former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun narrowly missing the target on a threatening free-kick.
City regained control once more and aimed to finish the task, with Reijnders hitting a long-range shot against the bar.
Haaland came excruciatingly close to completing his hat-trick, only to be denied by a remarkable save from Kohn.
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As he looked poised to break away in the final moments, a sliding challenge from ex-England defender Dier interrupted his progress.
Nevertheless, Dier soon made another appearance, heading directly at Donnarumma.
However, substitute Nico Gonzalez accidentally raised his foot towards Dier’s face, prompting the Spanish referee to check VAR.
In the ensuing chaotic scene, the home bench received a red card from referee Jesus Manzano.
After further deliberation, a penalty was deemed appropriate, and Dier confidently sent Donnarumma the wrong way from the spot.
