Folarin Balogun scored for the third Champions League game running to take Monaco to victory over Galatasaray.
In a game in which both sides missed numerous golden opportunities, Balogun’s scrambled 68th-minute effort proved decisive in the principality.
It had seemed like being one of those days for Monaco and, in particular, USA international striker Balogun as he failed to convert a number of clear chances, while captain Denis Zakaria also saw a tame penalty saved.
But Balogun eventually bundled the ball in with his knee after a corner was headed into the six-yard box and that was enough to secure Monaco’s second win of the league phase.
The first big chance of the game fell to Galatasaray but, with the goal at his mercy, former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan blazed over from six yards out.
Baris Alper Yilmaz then took down a long ball, shrugged off his defender but hit the outside of the post with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Two minutes later, Balogun headed over from close range for Monaco and the hosts missed a number of glaring chances in the second half too.
Zakaria bobbled his penalty down the middle, allowing goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to save with his legs, after former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino had been brought down by ex-Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez.
Balogun then scuffed a shot wide after Minamino had teed him up for a tap-in and thumped over the bar after running clear on goal.
The misses did not prove costly, though, as he converted from defender Thilo Kehrer’s knockdown to earn Monaco the three points that draw them level with Galatasaray on nine.
