Minamino’s Monaco Debut Goal Nullified as Toulouse Snatch Late Equaliser

Frank Magri scored a thrilling equaliser in the dying moments of the match, ensuring Toulouse held Monaco to a draw and thwarted the visitors’ hopes of securing a fourth consecutive away victory in their head-to-head encounters.

The first half was a challenging one for Toulouse, marred both on the pitch and off it, as they fell behind and faced confrontations with their own fans, who disrupted the game.

Magri’s leveller was a slick finish; Mika Biereth found Takumi Minamino at the back post, where the former Liverpool winger tapped the ball into an unguarded net.

Had it not been for a misfired attempt from Breel Embolo, Monaco could well have been two goals ahead at half-time. However, the first period faced a temporary pause due to unsavoury chants from the Toulouse supporters.

Emerging after the break with renewed vigour, Toulouse began to create more chances. The home side’s pleas for a penalty went unheeded by the referee when Thilo Kehrer appeared to bring down Vincent Sierro in the area.

Magri missed a prime opportunity to give Toulouse the advantage, poorly directing a header wide from 12 yards out.

Continuing to apply pressure, Toulouse finally found their equaliser thanks to the ever-keen Magri, who took advantage of a defensive error to go around goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki before rolling the ball into the net, securing a well-fought point.

This result keeps Toulouse just outside the European qualifying spots for the time being, but Carles Martinez Novell will surely take heart from his team’s strong second-half display against a Monaco side that remains just out of the top three.