Monaco sleeps top after 2-1 win over Lens

Monaco, coached by Filipe Luis, got the better of Lens in the opener of matchday five, winning 2-1. With the three points, the team went to sleep in first place on their own in Ligue 1, on 13 points from 15 available, as Mundo Deportivo reports.

Brunner makes the difference

A big part of Monaco’s strong start has been the scoring form of Paris Brunner. The 20-year-old German forward celebrated his sixth goal of the season, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute to make it 1-0—his fourth league goal (sixth overall). The match also played out well for Monaco despite key absences mentioned in the piece, including Ansu Fati, and the stalled departure of Florian Balogun to Everton.

The report adds context about an American attacker’s return, who came on for the final 15 minutes and returned after a controversy from last July’s World Cup knockout against Switzerland. Even after being sent off in the prior game versus Bosnia and Herzegovina, his ban was suspended following an intervention linked to Donald Trump and FIFA.

Own goal sinks Lens

Lens struck back: Matthieu Udol leveled in the 57th minute from a corner. But Monaco kept pushing and, in the 84th minute, the game tilted with an own goal by Jonathan Gradit, sealing a result that leaves Lens in a tough moment.

Waiting for Lille

Monaco’s lead isn’t guaranteed. Lille can reclaim first place on goal difference if they win on Sunday away at Nice, according to Mundo Deportivo.