Olivier Giroud’s stoppage-time strike gave Lille a 1–0 win over Monaco in Ligue 1. The result denied Monaco the chance to join the leaders and lifted Lille into fourth place. Giroud, back in France after 13 years, now has two goals this season but missed a late penalty. Ligue 1 leaders Lyon, Toulouse, PSG and Strasbourg remain perfect after two rounds.
Embed from Getty Images
Monaco missed the chance to move level at the top of Ligue 1, losing in dramatic fashion in stoppage time away to Lille (1–0).
The defeat not only denied them the opportunity to join the early frontrunners but also served as a reminder of how competitive this season’s French championship is shaping up to be. Lyon, Toulouse, reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg now occupy the summit with six points each, while Monaco’s slip leaves them in mid-table after the second round of fixtures.
The decisive moment of the night came in the 90+1st minute, when Olivier Giroud, the veteran striker freshly returned to French football, delivered the killer blow. At 37 years old, Giroud showed that he still has the instinct and composure to change games at the highest level. The former Chelsea and AC Milan forward latched onto a cross and calmly converted, sending the Stade Pierre-Mauroy into raptures. For Lille, it was the perfect way to claim their first victory of the campaign after drawing their opening match, while for Monaco, the loss felt like a squandered opportunity to underline their ambitions.
Portuguese fans had reasons to pay close attention to the fixture. Lille started Félix Correia on the wing, and the 23-year-old brought pace and energy down the flank before being substituted in the 81st minute. However, the French club were without Tiago Santos and André Gomes, both out injured, while young defender Rafael Fernandes was left out for tactical reasons. Paulo Fonseca, Lille’s Portuguese coach, has built a strong Lusophone presence within the squad, something that has added intrigue for followers of Portuguese football.
Giroud’s return to Ligue 1 after 13 years has been one of the storylines of the summer. The last time he played in France, he fired Montpellier to an unlikely league title in 2012 before moving abroad. Now back, he has wasted no time in making an impact. Having already scored in the 3–3 draw against Brest on the opening weekend, he now sits on two goals for the campaign. He could have had three had he not missed a penalty deep into stoppage time against Monaco. In the 90+9th minute, Giroud had the chance to double Lille’s advantage and take sole possession of the Ligue 1 scoring charts, but he blasted the spot kick over the bar. It mattered little in terms of the result but highlighted how fine the margins can be even for the most experienced strikers.
For Monaco, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. After starting the season with optimism and an opening-day win, they looked set to continue their momentum. However, they struggled to break down Lille’s organised defence, and their attacking stars failed to find the creativity needed in key moments. The loss leaves them with three points from two games, placing them eighth in the table and tied with seven other clubs. While it is far too early in the season to make definitive judgments, dropped points like these could prove costly later in the campaign, particularly given the competition at the top.
The wider Ligue 1 picture after two rounds tells its own story. Lyon, under the guidance of Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, have made a flying start with two wins from two. They crushed Metz 3–0 in their latest outing, signalling their intent to challenge PSG this season. Toulouse also impressed, claiming a 2–0 win over Brest, while Paris Saint-Germain, chasing a fifth consecutive league title and fresh off their Champions League triumph, edged Angers 1–0 to maintain their perfect start. Strasbourg, managed by Luís Castro, also kept pace with a 1–0 victory over Nantes, demonstrating that they, too, intend to make life difficult for the traditional heavyweights.
Lille’s win over Monaco now pushes them into fourth place with four points, just behind the early leaders. It was an important psychological victory, not only for the points but also for the statement it sends. Beating a side with Monaco’s quality, especially with a late winner, can be the spark that fuels confidence in the weeks ahead. For Monaco, meanwhile, it was a sobering reminder that they cannot afford lapses in concentration or failure to take their chances if they want to compete for the title.
Giroud’s renaissance, the Portuguese influence at both Lille and across Ligue 1, and the strong starts from PSG, Lyon, Toulouse, and Strasbourg are shaping this season into what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race. With plenty of football still to be played, Monaco will have opportunities to bounce back, but they will need to quickly put this setback behind them and rediscover the clinical edge that deserted them in Lille.
