Paris Saint-Germain's tough start to the French season continued on Friday. The reigning European champions took the lead but lost 2-1 at home to Monaco, who now sit at the top of Ligue 1.
Captain Marquinhos scored for PSG just after the half-hour mark at the Parc des Princes. This match was the first time Luis Enrique's team played at home this season in front of their fans.
Monaco fought back in the second half. Flavio Nazinho equalised before Belgian winger Stanis Idumbo scored the winner for Monaco. They have three wins from three matches and lead the standings early in the season.
Before kick-off, PSG announced that coach Luis Enrique had signed a three-year contract extension to remain at the club until 2030. PSG will start their quest for a third straight Champions League title next week at home against Slovan Bratislava.
But they are struggling in the league. They have only two points after three matches in their Ligue 1 title defence, which puts them seven points behind Monaco.
The Qatar-owned club won the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa last month. But they lost to Lens in the French Champions Trophy. PSG also drew their first two Ligue 1 matches against Rennes and Lille.
In those games, they came back from two goals down late in both. Marquinhos scored a last-minute equaliser last week in Lille.
The Brazilian defender opened the scoring here in the 31st minute. He converted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s cross with his chest.
At that moment, PSG looked set for a much-needed win against a Monaco side that had a rough week.
Monaco, now coached by Brazilian ex-Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis, wanted to make a big sale to the Premier League before the transfer window closed. They were looking to balance not qualifying for the Champions League this season.
But they faced a setback when US World Cup star Folarin Balogun pulled out of a £40 million ($54 million) transfer to Everton on deadline day. This happened just after Monaco backed out of selling Lamine Camara to Chelsea, banking on Balogun to complete his move.
Balogun, who stirred controversy during the World Cup after US President Donald Trump intervened to lift a red card, did not play in this match. He has not appeared for Monaco this season.
Senegal midfielder Camara did play for Monaco. They equalised in the 58th minute when Portuguese left-back Nazinho headed in from a Jordan Teze cross.
This goal rewarded Monaco for a strong start to the second half. They then took the lead in the 72nd minute when Aleksandr Golovin set up Idumbo, who scored at the near post past goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
This is the second season in a row PSG has lost at home to Monaco. The late introduction of Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Spain World Cup hero Ferran Torres could not save PSG.
Torres had a late goal disallowed for offside against Dembele. Dembele was also denied by a great save from Lukas Hradecky deep in stoppage time.
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