Manchester City dropped points in dramatic fashion as a depleted AS Monaco side clawed their way to a 2-2 draw at the Stade Louis-II, despite a dominant performance from Erling Haaland.

Missing eight regular starters — with right-back Vanderson forced off just 20 minutes in — Monaco’s bench looked more like a youth team than a Ligue 1 contender. And yet, against all odds, Adi Hütter's men held their ground against the Premier League giants, fighting back twice to snatch a sensational point.

Haaland Delivers — But City Slip Again

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute through a moment of brilliance from Haaland. A trademark lofted pass from Pep Guardiola’s midfield found the Norwegian striker darting in behind the defence. As the ball bounced up to head height, Haaland met it with a stunning mid-air finish — a flicked, half-split volley over the onrushing keeper.

But City's concentration wavered immediately. Within a minute, Krépin Diatta nearly levelled — and though he narrowly missed, Monaco's pressure didn’t stop. In their very next attack, Diatta turned provider, cutting the ball back to an unmarked Jordan Teze, who fired a clinical low drive into the near corner. The City defence was caught napping — 1-1.

Near Misses and Haaland Again

Phil Foden struck the crossbar, Tijjani Reijnders hit the post, and Haaland himself missed a sitter, somehow placing wide with the goal at his mercy. But the Norwegian goal machine quickly redeemed himself. In the 44th minute, a patient, flowing City move ended with a floated cross into the box. Haaland rose highest and powered home a textbook header to make it 2-1. It looked like normal service resumed.

Monaco’s Teen Spirit and a VAR-Soaked Twist

Despite City's overall control, Monaco refused to fold. Hütter threw on every remaining body from his decimated bench — including a senior debut for 18-year-old Pepe Cabral. Then came the twist.

In the 85th minute, a free-kick delivery caused chaos in the City box. Defender Eric Dier tumbled under pressure, and after a lengthy VAR review filled with pushing, shoving, and protest, the referee awarded a penalty — penalising Nico González for dangerous play. Dier stepped up and slotted it home, sealing an improbable 2-2 draw and sparking wild celebrations from the home side.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Monaco - Manchester City 2:2 (1:2)
Goals: Håland E., 15 (0:1); Teze, 18 (1:1); Håland E., 44 (1:2); Dier, 90 (penalty) (2:2)

Monaco: Köhn; Vanderson O. (Ouattara К., 22); Teze; Dier; Kehrer; Salisu (Ilenikhena, 82); Akliouche; Coulibaly M. (Cabral P., 83); Balogun F. (Biereth, 82); Diatta; Fati An. (Idumbo, 64)
Substitution: Ouattara К. (from 22); Idumbo (from 64); Biereth (from 82); Ilenikhena (from 82); Cabral P. (from 83)
Bench: Lienard; Caio Henrique; Minamino
Yellow Cards: Diatta 63

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Gvardiol; Dias R.; Stones (Matheus Nunes, 73); Reijnders; Rodri (Nico González, 61); Bernardo Silva; Foden; O'Reilly; Håland E.; Doku J. (Sávio Moreira, 61)
Substitution: Nico González (from 61); Sávio Moreira (from 61); Matheus Nunes (from 73)
Bench: Trafford; Bettinelli; Lewis R.; Ake; Kovacic M.; Bobb; Mukasa
Yellow Cards: Donnarumma G. 38; Rodri 57; Bernardo Silva 88; Sávio Moreira 94