Forward Scores in Eighth Straight Ligue 1 Match as Monaco Rescue a Point Against Auxerre
Folarin Balogun's remarkable scoring run continued on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to give AS Monaco the result they desperately needed in their pursuit of a Champions League place.
The 24-year-old American striker converted a penalty in the 59th minute to draw Monaco level at 2-2 against AJ Auxerre at Stade Louis-II, scoring in eight consecutive Ligue 1 matches—a feat achieved by only four other players in the French top flight this century. He joins an exclusive list that includes Sonny Anderson, Shabani Nonda, Rony Lopes, and Moussa Dembélé, the latter three all having done it in Monaco colors. It was his 12th league goal of the season and, notably, his tenth in his last ten matches across all competitions.
The context made the comeback all the more impressive. Monaco found themselves two goals down inside 33 minutes, first conceding a superb volley from Kevin Danois and then being punished when goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky let Lassine Sinayoko's shot slip under his body. It looked bleak. But Ansu Fati pulled one back in the 56th minute, and three minutes later, Balogun was brought down in the box, stepped up himself, and coolly converted to level things up.
Balogun's underlying numbers told the story of a man constantly in dangerous areas—nine touches in the opposition box and three shots, all on target. He even thought he had grabbed a second when he lashed a shot into the far corner, only to be flagged for offside.
Six of his last eight goals have come in the second half, underlining his ability to impact matches when it matters most. With Monaco still outside the European places, they'll need more of the same when they travel to Toulouse next weekend.
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