City's away win in the Champions League has gone a year without a win against Monaco.

MONACO, THURSDAY — Erling Haaland scored two goals, but Monaco thwarted Manchester City's victory with a last-minute penalty from Eric Dier. The 2-2 draw at Stade Louis II, Monaco, on Thursday (2/10/2025), marked a year since City last won an away match in European competition.

The last victory achieved by Pep Guardiola's team away from home was when they defeated Slovan Bratislava, 4-0, in the Champions League on October 1, 2024. During that time, they played five matches away from home.

City seemed poised for an easy victory after Haaland proved his status as the best striker in the world with a goal in the 15th minute. However, just three minutes later, the home team managed to equalize through a goal from Jordan Teze.

Haaland once again showed his prowess with a second goal in the 44th minute. With that brace, the Norwegian striker has now scored 11 goals this season.

City's victory for the first time in five away European games was just minutes away. Until then, referee Jesus Gil Manzano decided to award a penalty to the home team.

The penalty was awarded after a video review after City midfielder Nico Gonzalez fouled Dier in the penalty area.

Dier successfully executed a penalty, defeating Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 90th minute. This marks the first point for Monaco, while City has garnered four points following their 2-0 victory over Napoli in the opening match.

"It was a good match. We created many opportunities. I do not know if it was a penalty, but it was given. So that is how it is. 'Nico touched the ball first, there was no intention. But that is how it is,' said Guardiola."

Haaland recorded his 50th goal in the Champions League when he scored one goal in the victory against Napoli two weeks ago. This made him the fastest player to reach 50 goals in this competition. His tally of 50 goals was achieved in his 49th appearance, breaking the record set by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored 50 goals in 62 matches.

Now, Lionel Messi's record is his target and it is likely to be achieved. Messi is the fastest player to score 60 goals in the highest European club competition. The Argentine player accomplished this in 80 appearances.

Two goals by Haaland against Monaco have brought his total to 52 goals after just 50 matches. Nevertheless, Haaland expressed disappointment as, for him, the team's victory is more important than his record.

He could not hide his frustration as Citu failed to win after conceding a goal in the final minutes. "That is not good enough. We have to strive to win the next match. That is all we can do," said Haaland.

The match between City and Monaco this time marks the first meeting of the two teams since the Round of 16 of the Champions League in 2017, which was won by Monaco through an away goal after an aggregate tie of 6-6. At that time, Monaco was still reinforced by Kylian Mbappe, as well as Bernardo Silva, who now wears the captain's armband for City.

Former Manchester United player, Paul Pogba, who is now strengthening Monaco after completing his suspension due to doping, watched the match from the stands. He is not yet able to play as he still needs to recover his fitness after a long period of inactivity.

Without Pogba and several injured players, Monaco struggled to match City's gameplay. However, they managed to score two goals to steal points from the favored opponent.

"We were not reinforced by six or seven top players due to injuries, but we never gave up. The players gave their all on the field. I am very proud. We deserved the draw," said Monaco coach Adi Huetter. (AFP)