The perfect start to the Ligue 1 season for Monaco came to an end on Sunday as Przemyslaw Frankowski’s stoppage-time penalty earned Lens a 1-1 draw in the principality. The match, played in scorching heat, looked destined for a Monaco victory after Denis Zakaria headed them into the lead with just six minutes remaining at the Stade Louis II. This goal would have been a crushing blow for Lens, who had earlier seen Adrien Thomasson and Wesley Said strike the same post within seconds of each other in the first half. They also had a Remy Labeau Lascary goal disallowed for handball after the break.
However, Lens’s luck changed when Zakaria deflected a shot with his hand in his own area. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded Lens a penalty, which Polish international Frankowski calmly converted four minutes into stoppage time. This dramatic equalizer left both sides level on seven points in the early league standings, trailing only leaders Marseille on goal difference.
The draw provided a much-needed boost for Lens, who had suffered a disappointing defeat to Panathinaikos in their UEFA Conference League play-off tie during the week, missing out on a place in the league stage. Monaco, on the other hand, will be competing in the Champions League after finishing as runners-up in Ligue 1 last season. Their campaign begins at home against Barcelona on September 19.
Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Marseille maintained their position at the top of the table thanks to Mason Greenwood’s brace in a 3-1 victory over Toulouse. Reigning champions PSG face Lille later in the week, with both sides knowing a win would see them move into the lead.
In other Sunday fixtures, Nice secured their first win of the season, with Evann Guessand scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Angers. Le Havre came from behind to defeat Auxerre 3-1 in Normandy, while Junya Ito and Oumar Diakite found the net for Reims, who overcame an early goal to defeat Rennes 2-1.
