AS Monaco reignited their push for European qualification with a dramatic stoppage-time victory over FC Metz, as substitute Ansu Fati scored a late winner to seal a 2-1 comeback at Stade Saint-Symphorien on the evening of Saturday, May 2.
After three matches without a win, Monaco desperately needed a response — and although the performance was far from flawless, they eventually found one through resilience, patience and a decisive contribution from the bench.
The result lifts AS Monaco back into sixth place in Ligue 1, keeping alive their hopes of securing European football next season.
Head coach Sébastien Pocognoli stayed loyal to his 3-4-2-1 system and handed Paul Pogba his first league start of the season alongside Lamine Camara in midfield. Aleksandr Golovin also returned to the starting XI, while captain Denis Zakaria continued in a defensive role.
Despite Monaco dominating recent meetings between the two sides, the opening stages were cagey. Pogba offered the first real warning with a long-range strike that drifted narrowly wide after 20 minutes, before Maghnes Akliouche clipped the outside of the post as the visitors gradually grew into the game.
Metz, however, remained dangerous on the counter and nearly punished Monaco before the break through Jessy Deminguet and Gauthier Hein, both of whom failed to hit the target from promising positions.
The breakthrough arrived moments after half-time, and it came for the hosts. Deminguet rose highest from a free-kick delivery to head Metz into the lead in the 49th minute, silencing the travelling Monaco support and threatening another damaging result for Pocognoli’s side.
Monaco responded well. Folarin Balogun, who has quietly become one of Ligue 1’s form forwards, dragged the visitors level just after the hour mark with a composed finish into the far corner for his 13th league goal of the season — and ninth in his last 10 matches.
From there, the match opened up completely.
Metz came close to reclaiming the lead through Benjamin Stambouli and Hein, whose header rattled the woodwork, while Monaco pushed increasingly aggressively in search of a winner.
Pocognoli’s decisive move came late on when he introduced Caio Henrique for his return from injury. The Brazilian immediately added urgency and quality down the left, creating Monaco’s clearest late opportunities.
Deep into stoppage time, his low ball into the area found Fati, who kept his composure to fire past Pape Sy and complete the turnaround in the 91st minute.
The late strike sparked wild celebrations among the away supporters and handed Monaco a potentially season-defining victory ahead of looming fixtures against Lille OSC and RC Strasbourg Alsace. After weeks of frustration and dropped points, Monaco finally found their response — right at the death.
