UCL: Man City held in a four-goal thriller

Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco, earned their first points of this Champions League campaign against Manchester City after holding the English giant to a 2-2 draw on Matchday two. 

This also becomes the first away point for the Citizens, having started their campaign with a 2-0 win against Serie A champions Napoli.

It was a match Pep Guardiola’s side ought to have won, with so many chances left untaken. They recorded just one win away from home in last year’s Champions League group phase. 

City had gone ahead twice in the game courtesy of a brace from in-form Erling Haaland, but succumbed to a late goal from Eric Dier to drop points in France.

The visitors took the lead when Haaland’s left-footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal after being released by Josko Gvardiol with a through ball.

The hosts then levelled matters three minutes after going behind. Krépin Diatta released a pass to Jordan Teze, who right-footed a shot from outside the box to the top left corner. 

Haaland then restored City’s lead a minute before half-time. The Norwegian completed Nico O’Reilly’s cross with a beautiful header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner, taking the game to 2-1.

As the clock was ticking towards full-time, the 2023 Champions League winners thought they had secured maximum points, only for their hopes to be dashed in the 90th minute. Nico Gonzalez committed a foul in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty after a consultation with the VAR. 

Dier equalised from the spot, converting the penalty with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner.

Monaco then held on to the ear and an important point, punishing City for not taking their chances when they had them.