)
On a night with several Spanish youngsters from Barcelona, Nigerian 18-year-old George Ilenikhena outshone Lamine Yamal and co
After a 100% record in LaLiga, Hansi Flick finally lost his first official match as Barcelona manager thanks to a strike by Nigerian teenager George Ilenikhena, who scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win for Monaco in the Champions League.
Ilenikhena struck the winner in the 71st minute of the match capitalising on Monaco’s one-man advantage after Barcelona Eric Garcia had been sent off earlier in the match.
Monaco had taken the lead through Akliouche before Lamine Yamal equalised for Barcelona just before the half-hour mark.
With the game headed for a draw, Ilenikhena scored his second goal in three matches against Barcelona, condemning the Blaugrana to another defeat as he did during his first UEFA Champions League season with Royal Antwerp.
How it happened
The match took an early turn when Barcelona's Eric García was sent off for bringing down Takumi Minamino, leading to Monaco's opening goal from Maghnes Akliouche.
Despite being a man down, Barcelona quickly responded through 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored a swift equaliser.
)
Monaco had a goal disallowed before halftime, but the teams went into the break level, with Monaco largely in control of the game.
The second half saw more pressure from Monaco, but Marc-André ter Stegen kept Barcelona in the match with several key saves, including denying Vanderson from close range.
However, Monaco's persistence paid off when substitute Ilenikhena netted the winning goal on his Champions League debut for the club, capitalising on a Barcelona defensive error.
)
Folarin Balogun almost added a third for Monaco, but Ter Stegen saved again and Barcelona were briefly handed a lifeline when a penalty was awarded but later overturned after a VAR review.
In the end, Monaco held firm to secure a vital victory and extend their unbeaten start to the season.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)