Monaco stuns 10-Man Barcelona in Champions League Opener

Monaco stunned Barcelona in their Champions League opener, securing a 2-1 victory thanks to 18-year-old George Ilenikhena’s debut goal.

The Nigerian striker, who joined from Royal Antwerp, came off the bench in the 59th minute and scored the winner 12 minutes later, breaking Kylian Mbappe’s record as Monaco’s youngest scorer in the competition.

Barcelona’s night unraveled early, with Eric Garcia sent off just 10 minutes in for a last-man foul on Takumi Minamino.

Monaco capitalized quickly, as Maghnes Akliouche slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Despite Lamine Yamal’s historic equalizer—making him the second-youngest scorer in Champions League history—Monaco held on for the upset.

VAR later overturned a penalty for Folarin Balogun, sealing Barcelona’s defeat.