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Balogun strikes late as Monaco edges Galatasaray 1-0 despite Turkish fan takeover

10 December 2025 01:51 (UTC +04:00)

Folarin Balogun scored from close range in the 68th minute as Monaco defeated Galatasaray 1-0 in a UEFA Champions League fixture on Monday, though the French side found themselves outnumbered in their own stadium by thousands of visiting Turkish supporters, APA reports.

The English striker converted following a corner kick sequence, tapping home after Thilo Kehrer's header was blocked at the six-yard box. The goal broke the deadlock in a tightly contested match at Stade Louis II, where Galatasaray's traveling contingent created an atmosphere more reminiscent of their Istanbul home ground than a neutral venue.

Monaco had earlier squandered a golden opportunity when Denis Zakaria's penalty was saved by Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir in the 50th minute. The spot kick was awarded after video review confirmed Davinson Sanchez fouled Takumi Minamino inside the penalty area, with the Colombian defender receiving a yellow card for the infringement.