AS Monaco battle hard against Le Havre to secure their 1100th Ligue 1 victory! | OneFootball

Facing Le Havre on the opening matchday of Ligue 1, the Rouge et Blanc made a successful debut to the 2025-2026 season, winning 3-1 thanks in particular to Eric Dier's opening goal. The victory marked the Club's 1,100th season in the French league.

It was a victory to kick off the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 McDonald’s season! Facing Le Havre for the first day of the league season, the AS Monaco players showed rigor to win at the Stade Louis-II (3-1). It was a win recorded under the eyes of HSH Prince Albert II and President Dmitry Rybolovlev.  ✍️

The context 📅

After seven weeks of preseason with eight matches played (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat), AS Monaco’s players returned to Ligue 1 for the first matchday against Le Havre, in an encounter played at the Stade Louis-II. Undefeated in the the league in Fontvieille in 2025, they had to be wary of a Le Havre who have been traveling well this year (17 points taken).

The XI 👥

For this opening match of the league season, Adi Hütter played a 4-2-3-1 with Takumi Minamino supporting Mika Biereth in attack. The wings were manned by Maghnes Akliouche and Aleksandr Golovin, while’Eric Dier made his debut in Ligue 1,  alongside Christian Mawissa in defence, while Lukáš Hradecký started in goal.

The scenario 🎞

Kick-off was taken in what was still a summer heat with 30°C on the thermometer. Despite this high temperature, both teams played with intensity and created opportunities through Jordan Teze (4′) and Takumi Minamino for AS Monaco, as well as Rassoul Ndiaye for Le Havre (5′). But the biggest opportunity chance came to Mika Biereth, who fired an effort just wide of Diaw’s post (18′).

Golo helps create the first Monégasque goal of the season

The Rouge et Blanc had a monopoly on the ball and were rewarded for their efforts shortly after the half-hour mark with an own goal from Gauthier Lloris who deflected a cross from Aleksandr Golovin into his own net (1-0, 32′). The lead was then very close to being doubled just before the break but a volley by  Maghnes Akliouche crashed off the Le Havre post (45+3′).

Dier doubles the lead on his debut

The second half started along the same lines with the Monegasques camped in the opposing half. Dominant, they logically scored a second goal just after the hour mark through Eric Dier with a header on a perfectly struck corner by Lamine Camara (2-0, 62′). Making his big debut in Ligue 1, the English defender has already opened his account.

The two teams trade blows

Unfortunately, there was no time to savor the moment, as Le Havre reduced the deficit through Rassoul Ndiaye’s shot across goal (67′, 2-1). It was of no consequence, however, as seven minutes later, Maghnes Akliouche had only had to push the ball into the back of the net after a cutback from Denis Zakaria (74′, 3-1). Shortly thereafter,, the new Monaco goalkeeper distinguished himself with a beautiful save after a deflected shot from Mabimbi (80′).

1100 wins in Ligue 1 for AS Monaco

Coach Adi Hütter then took advantage of the victory taking shape to bring in new blood and we noted debuts for Paris Brunner (81′) and Aladji Bamba,who also made his professional debut (89′). Extra time was perfectly managed and AS Monaco won 3-1 against Le Havre to open the league season. But more than a successful debut, it was also the Club’s 1100th victory in Ligue 1! DAGHE MUNEGU !!! 🇲🇨

Key moments 🎥

4′: Teze’s right-footed shot goes wide 5′: Ndiaye’s harmless shot is easily saved by Hradecký 11′: Minamino unleashes a shot on the turn, which is saved by Diaw 18′: Biereth’s attempt flirts with the Le Havre post 32′: Lloris deflects Golovin’s cross into his own net (1-0) 45 + 3′: Akliouche’s volley crashes against Diaw’s post 62′: Dier doubles the lead with a header from a Camara corner (2-0) 67′: Ndiaye reduces the Le Havre deficit (2-1) 74′: Perfectly set up by Zakaria, Akliouche makes it 3-1 80′: Hradecky makes a fine save from a deflected shot from Mabimbi

The stat 📊

Eric Dier is the first central defender to score on his Ligue 1 debut since Nayef Aguerd against Nice with Dijon on August 25, 2018. The Englishman completed 108 of his 110 passes tonight against Le Havre, the second-highest total for a player making his Ligue 1 debut (143/146 for Milan Skriniar with Paris SG v Lorient in August 2023) since Opta began analyzing the competition (2006/07).

🗓️ Match details:

Saturday, August 16 2025 (19:00) – Stade Louis-II

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Matchday 1: AS Monaco 3-1 Le Havre

Halftime: 1-0

Goals: Lloris (OG) (32′), Dier (62′), Akliouche (74′) for AS Monaco; Ndiaye (67′) for Le Havre

Bookings: Lloris (89′) for Le Havre

AS Monaco: Hradecký – Teze (Vanderson 63′), Dier, Mawissa, C.Henrique – Camara (Ben Seghir, 63′), Zakaria © – Akliouche, Minamino (Ilenikhena, 81′), Golovin (Bamba, 89′) – Biereth (Brunner, 81′)

Substitutes: Köhn, Kehrer, Ouattara, Singo, Vanderson, Bamba, Ben Seghir, Brunner, Ilenikhena

Manager: Adi Hütter