Monaco pulled off a significant 2-1 upset against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group stage on September 19, 2024. This match, held at Stade Louis II, marked Monaco’s return to the Champions League after a five-year absence, and they made it count by securing a hard-fought victory against a Barcelona side that struggled after a key defensive error.

Monaco opened the scoring early in the 16th minute through Maghnes Akliouche, capitalizing on Barcelona’s slow start. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the rising star of the team, equalized in the 28th minute, becoming the second-youngest player ever to score in the Champions League. However, the game took a sharp turn when Barcelona’s Eric Garcia was sent off following a major miscommunication with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. This put Barça on the back foot for most of the second half.

Monaco’s winning goal came in the 71st minute, courtesy of 18-year-old substitute George Ilenikhena. This goal not only sealed the win but also made Ilenikhena the youngest player in Monaco’s history to score in the Champions League, surpassing a record previously held by Kylian Mbappé.

Despite Barcelona’s early dominance in domestic competitions, this defeat highlighted the challenges they face under new manager Hansi Flick. The team struggled to cope with Garcia’s red card and Ter Stegen’s error, ending their perfect start to the season​