AS Monaco returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Toulouse on the evening of Saturday, October 25, thanks to an early header from Mohammed Salisu and another assured defensive performance. The result, achieved in front of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and club president Dmitry Rybolovlev at the Stade Louis-II, temporarily lifted the Red and Whites back onto the podium.

Coming just three days after their impressive display against Tottenham in Europe, Monaco were eager to turn dominance into points. Head coach Sébastien Pocognoli made three changes to his starting XI, recalling Aleksandr Golovin, Takumi Minamino, and Christian Mawissa in a 3-4-3 setup. Folarin Balogun led the line again, supported by Ansu Fati and Minamino.

The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves. Barely two minutes in, a precise cross from Kassoum Ouattara found Salisu unmarked in the six-yard box, and the Ghanaian defender powered home a header to open the scoring — Monaco’s fastest goal of the season.

Ansu Fati nearly doubled the advantage moments later, forcing a fine save from Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. While Monaco dominated possession, Toulouse gradually grew into the contest, with Yann Gboho testing Philipp Köhn midway through the first half. Balogun twice went close before the break, but Monaco’s slender lead remained intact at half-time.

The second half brought more tension than flair. Pocognoli injected fresh legs on the hour mark, introducing Maghnes Akliouche and teenager George Ilenikhena, who almost scored with an audacious lob seconds after coming on. Toulouse had chances of their own — Emerson’s header grazed the post before Köhn denied Gboho again.

The home side could have sealed it late on when substitute Pape Cabral and Ouattara both saw efforts blocked, first by Restes and then by the upright. A late scare came when Krépin Diatta deflected a Toulouse shot wide in the closing minutes, but Monaco’s defence held firm.

At full time, Salisu’s early goal proved enough to secure a valuable three points — Monaco’s first league win after two straight draws and their third clean sheet in four games. The Principality side will now look to build on this result as they travel to Nantes on Wednesday, October 29 for Matchday 10.