Monaco couldn’t have asked for a better start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League playoffs than American striker Folarin Balogun scoring less than a minute into the first leg with a well-timed header. After the cross from Aleksandr Golovin, Balogun just had to divert the ball on target and wasted no time putting his side ahead in the match. He wasn’t done there, getting his second goal in the 18th minute of play. It wouldn’t be enough to secure victory with Monaco losing 3-2 at home, but it sets up a competitive second leg at the Parc de Princes on Wednesday, Feb. 26 (catch all the action on Paramount+).
Here’s a look at Balogun’s second goal:
These are the fourth and fifth Champions League goals for Balogun this season and his ninth and 10th for the club in all competitions as he has gained confidence leading the line. They may have been Balogun’s first goals of 2026, but they couldn’t have come at a better time, leading his side in a home leg of the knockout phase with a chance to make the round of 16.
An 18-minute brace wasn’t enough
Despite Monaco’s strong start, they then conceded three unanswered goals to end the match on a sour note ultimately losing to PSG. Three unanswered goals and a red card to Golovin, who assisted Balogun’s opener were too much to come back. After Ousmane Dembele needed to leave the pitch due to an injury, it was Desire Doue, who sparked change, scoring with his first touch of the ball, before adding another goal and an assist to his tally. But Balogun’s hot start to the match will still provide Monaco with a chance to advance in the second leg, as the deficit is only one goal, but it could’ve been worse.
Balogun with ice in his veins
Now with more Champions League goals than Ligue 1 goals, the 24-year-old is establishing himself as a big-game player for Monaco with his performances in the league phase and now the knockouts. After a strong November camp for the United States men’s national team, this is also something that USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino will love to see as the clock ticks closer to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Just like Monaco will need as much as they can get from Balogun to make it past a tough PSG side, the USMNT will look toward the striker to advance as far as possible at the World Cup. Already performing with pressure on his shoulders, this is a good start. If he can follow this up with another brace in the second leg, who knows, Monaco could shock the world and book a place in the round of 16.
