Monaco secured a determined 3-1 home victory over Nantes, with Simon Adingra's first-half double proving decisive despite a second-half red card for Aleksandr Golovin.
Monaco hosted Nantes at the Stade Louis II on February 13, 2026, in a pivotal Ligue 1 encounter. Monaco entered the match in ninth place, aiming to climb the table. Visitors Nantes, struggling in sixteenth, desperately sought points to escape the relegation zone.
The match ignited into life around the mid-point of the first half. Monaco broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Simon Adingra found the back of the net with a precise finish, giving the home side a deserved lead.
Just three minutes later, Adingra struck again. Aleksandr Golovin provided the assist, setting up Adingra to complete his quick double. Monaco's attacking prowess overwhelmed Nantes.
The onslaught continued in the 30th minute. Denis Zakaria added a third goal for Monaco, with Golovin once more delivering the assist. The principality club raced to a commanding 3-0 advantage within five minutes.
Nantes, however, found a glimmer of hope just before halftime. Fabien Centonze pulled a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time, assisted by D. Machado. This gave the visitors a lifeline heading into the break.
The second half began with Nantes looking to capitalize on their late first-half goal. Monaco needed to maintain focus and manage their lead effectively. The match became more physical.
A significant turning point arrived in the 65th minute. Monaco's Aleksandr Golovin received two quick yellow cards for unsportsmanlike conduct, leading to a red card. Monaco was reduced to ten men with still a substantial period remaining.
Despite being a man down, Monaco demonstrated resilience. They managed the game well, absorbing pressure from Nantes. Substitutions from both sides attempted to alter the flow, with Monaco bringing on Ansu Fati and Nantes making multiple changes.
The remaining minutes saw several yellow cards as the intensity grew. Monaco's J. Teze and Nantes' Chidozie Awaziem and I. Sissoko all received cautions. Monaco's defense held firm under increasing pressure.
Monaco finished the match with an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.53, compared to Nantes' 0.93. The home side registered 6 shots on goal from 12 total attempts, while Nantes managed only 2 shots on target from 13. Nantes held slightly more possession at 53%.
This 3-1 victory is a crucial result for Monaco, solidifying their mid-table position. Nantes, meanwhile, faces a continued struggle against relegation, with their form showing little improvement.
