Balogun Scores and Sees Red as Monaco Falls to Lens

United States forward Folarin Balogun had a mixed outing as Monaco faced a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Lens in France’s Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Balogun, who had recently made headlines by scoring his first career Champions League goal earlier in the week, found the net again, converting a penalty late in the first half. However, his joy was short-lived as he received a red card just before halftime for a dangerous challenge on midfielder Mamadou Sangaré.

At halftime, Lens led 3-1, with contributions from striker Odsonne Édouard, Wesley Saïd, and Sangaré himself. Saïd added another goal in the second half, bringing Lens level with Marseille, both teams sitting at the top of Ligue 1 with 25 points, thus increasing the pressure on injury-plagued Paris Saint-Germain.

Paris Saint-Germain, with one point trailing behind, will face Lyon on Sunday. In other notable matches, English players Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood both scored as Marseille secured a 3-0 victory against Brest, allowing them to temporarily take the lead on goal difference ahead of Lens.

Gomes opened the scoring with a direct free kick, which was aided by a mistake from goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki. Greenwood subsequently converted a penalty after a foul on Brazilian Igor Paixão, marking a strong performance from Marseille, the only team to have defeated PSG in the league this season. Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang capped off the scoring by finishing a cross from Matt O’Riley in the 82nd minute.

A victory for Lyon on Sunday would place them just one point behind PSG, who are currently missing key players including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé due to injuries.