It was a night for records to fall at the Stade Louis II. After a six-year absence from the UEFA Champions League, AS Monaco made their long-awaited return, against Barcelona, on Thursday night. Not only did they get their first win in 15 matches in the competition, but one of Les Monégasques’ goalscorers beat a record previously set by Kylian Mbappé (25)
Monaco enjoyed a perfect start to the night with Eric García seeing red in just the 10th minute. Six minutes later, academy product Maghnes Akliouche handed the Principality club the lead, before Barcelona struck back through Lamine Yamal.
However, with the game seemingly drifting towards a draw, summer signing George Ilenikhena (18) stepped up, running onto Vanderson’s sweeping cross-field ball before finishing past Marc-André ter Stegen in the Barcelona goal. Not only did it end Monaco’s barren run in the competition, but the goal also allowed Ilenikhena to become the Principality club’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition.
At 18 years and 34 days old, he beats the record set by Mbappé, who was 18 years and 63 days old when he netted his first goals in the red and white of Monaco.
Photo source: AS Monaco
