Monaco put on a stunning display this past February 15, dominating Nantes with a jaw-dropping scoreline of 7-1 during their Ligue 1 clash. Takumi Minamino, the Japanese midfielder now on the Monaco roster, made headlines not only for his exceptional performance but also for significantly contributing to his team's commanding victory.
The match, held on home turf, saw Monaco flexing their muscles early on. After conceding the first goal, Monaco quickly regrouped. Minamino's standout moment came just before halftime; with the score tied at 1-1, he sent the game back in Monaco's favor. He assisted teammate Vieres with a perfectly placed low cross, leveling the score and turning the tide for his team.
Just moments later, Minamino found the back of the net himself. Responding to a brilliant pass from Kamara, he unleashed a right-footed volley as the ball approached, catching the Nantes goalkeeper unprepared. The strike was swift and decisive—easily marking his second goal of the season.
Minamino wasn't done yet! Shortly after his goal, he once again demonstrated his importance to the team by assisting on the third goal, elevately sealing every independent contribution for the evening to one goal and two assists. His teammates rallied, and by the end of the match, the scoreboard read 7-1.
Reflecting on his performance, Minamino remarked, 'I scored one and assisted two.' His words echoed the collective joy felt by the home crowd and the squad as they continued to build momentum through the season.
This victory puts Monaco on the map as serious contenders, lifting them to the third position overall with 40 points, just behind the leading Paris Saint-Germain, who remain undefeated this season. The potent mix of tactical brilliance and team coordination was evident throughout the match, proving their capability against tougher opposition.
The defensive blunders from Nantes were glaringly evident, as they struggled to contain Monaco's attacking force. Facing Monagasque striker Vieres, who completed the night with a hat trick, Nantes failed to assert any real pressure, falling behind even before the break. The outcome sets the stage for their upcoming fixtures, with Monaco desperate to maintain this winning form.
Looking forward, Monaco will face Benfica for their next decisive match-up, trying to carry this victorious momentum from local play to their European contest. Minamino will surely be one to watch as they head toward possibly clenching their champions league spot.
This emphatic win stands as both a reminder of Monaco's potential and the readiness to challenge higher-ranked teams, full of confidence after such a decisive win.