Balogun Scores but Monaco Falls to Lens
ESPN News Services
November 8, 2025, 06:23 PM ET
Folarin Balogun, a forward for the United States, netted a goal before receiving a red card as Monaco was defeated 4-1 by Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
After scoring his first Champions League goal earlier in the week, Balogun converted a penalty late in the first half to level the score for Monaco.
However, the U.S. international, recently included in the roster for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, was sent off on the brink of halftime following a reckless tackle on midfielder Mamadou Sangare.
Lens took a 3-1 lead into halftime, with contributions from striker Odsonne Édouard, Wesley Saïd, and Sangaré.
Saïd added another goal in the second half, bringing Lens level on points with Marseille at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, while putting pressure on an injury-stricken Paris Saint-Germain.
Both Lens and Marseille now sit with 25 points, just ahead of PSG, who will face Lyon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood provided the goals for Marseille in a 3-0 victory over Brest on Saturday, lifting them to the top of the league based on goal difference.
Gomes scored with a direct free kick in the 25th minute, followed by Greenwood converting a penalty in the 33rd minute after a foul on Igor Paixão.
Veteran forward Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang capped off the scoring in the 82nd minute with a well-placed goal from Matt O’Riley’s cross.
A Lyon victory on Sunday would bring them within a point of PSG, who are currently without several key players, including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and other injured stars.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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