AFCON 2025
Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena was voted man of the match for Monaco winner against Barcelona in his Champions League debut.
In their opening Champions League match, Monaco shocked 10-man Barcelona thanks to a goal from Nigerian attacker George Ilenikhena.
Monaco 2-1 Barcelona
After Ter Stegen’s clumsy ball out of the back, Eric Garcia fouled Takumi Minamino as the final man, earning a straight red card barely ten minutes into the game.
Maghnes Akliouche quickly gave Monaco the lead by slotting past Ter Stegen, who was glued to the spot.
Lamine Yamal, a teenage sensation for Barcelona, equalized the score with his first Champions League goal after latching onto a long ball, cutting inside, and sending a low shot into the bottom corner.
George Ilenikhena scores for Monaco against Barcelona
In the 59th minute, George Ilenikhena was introduced for Breel Embolo with the score tied at 1-1.
In the 71st minute, Ilenikhena, then eighteen, ran onto Vanderson’s long ball over the top of the defense and fired a shot that went past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
However, Ilenikhena’s goal condemned Barcelona to an opening loss. It was his first since joining from Royal Antwerp in the offseason.
Folarin Balogun’s penalty was overturned late in the game after a video assistance referee (VAR) assessment, as it was determined that he went down too easily after Inigo Martinez’s challenge.
The goal earned Ilenikhena the Man of the Match award and sparked his case for call up to the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier double header against Libya.
