AS Monaco secured a return to the Champions League in style last night, defeating Olympique Lyonnais 2–0 at a sold-out Stade Louis-II in their final home match of the season. With goals from Takumi Minamino and Denis Zakaria, the Red and Whites delivered a polished performance to seal second place in Ligue 1 — and with it, direct qualification for Europe’s top competition.
Watched by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and club president Dmitry Rybolovlev, Monaco looked composed and purposeful from the first whistle. The visitors from Lyon arrived determined to keep their own European hopes alive, but Adi Hütter’s men were in no mood to yield ground.
Chances came early for both sides, with Philipp Köhn called into action to deny Lyon on multiple occasions. Breel Embolo and Takumi Minamino posed constant threats on the counter, and after a tense first half, the breakthrough came in the 62nd minute. Minamino, latching onto a well-placed ball, rifled a shot into the far corner to ignite the home crowd.
Just six minutes later, Monaco doubled their lead. Lamine Camara floated in a pinpoint free kick, met perfectly by Denis Zakaria, who powered home a header to put the match beyond Lyon’s reach. It was a reward for Monaco’s controlled aggression and defensive discipline, withstanding a flurry of Lyon chances late on without ever losing their grip.
The win marks Monaco’s seventh home victory of 2025 and completes an unbeaten run at the Stade Louis-II this calendar year — a fortress-like finish to a strong campaign. With just one match remaining, Monaco’s place on the Ligue 1 podium is secure, and Champions League nights will return to the Principality next season.
