A late goal from veteran striker Olivier Giroud secured Lille a 1-0 victory against Monaco, marking their first win of the Ligue 1 season. The 38-year-old Frenchman, back in Ligue 1 after a stint in the United States, continues to demonstrate his scoring prowess. The match, held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, saw Giroud find the net in the 91st minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The winning goal came from a well-placed pass from Fernández Pardo on the right wing. Giroud expertly controlled the ball, beating Monaco's goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky with a swivel and a precise finish. Despite the joy of the late goal, Giroud had a chance to extend Lille's lead minutes later when Fernández Pardo was fouled in the box by Monaco defender Christian Mawissa Elebi, earning Lille a penalty. However, Giroud uncharacteristically sent the penalty kick over the bar in the 96th minute.

Prior to Giroud's late heroics, the match was a tightly contested affair. Monaco had opportunities in the first half, with Maghnes Akliouche and Folarin Balogun threatening Lille's goal. Akliouche had two good chances, one from a cross by Caio Henrique and another set up by Aleksandr Golovin, but Lille's goalkeeper Berke Özer denied him on both occasions. Lille also had their moments, with Hákon Arnar Haraldsson firing a shot wide after a long ball from Nathan Ngoy.

The second half saw a more physical game, with several Lille players requiring treatment after challenges from Monaco players. Ngal'ayel Mukau was stretchered off after a tackle from Henrique. Ayyoub Bouaddi tested Hradecky with a shot from distance, which was deflected wide by Mawissa. Lille began to grow into the game, spurred on by the home crowd.

Monaco's coach will be disappointed with the result, especially after winning their opening game against Le Havre. They await the full fitness of Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba, who were not yet ready to feature in this match. Monaco's players, such as Caio Henrique, who was dangerous in the first half, and Christian Mawissa Elebi, whose late foul led to a penalty, had mixed performances. Henrique was eventually replaced by Kassoum Ouattara, and Lille seemed to find more space down that wing after the substitution.

Lille's victory was their first under coach Bruno Genesio and handed Monaco their first defeat of the campaign. This win places them among the leading teams like Lyon, Toulouse, PSG, and Strasbourg, who all have six points after the second round of Ligue 1. Giroud's return to French football has been impressive, as he also scored in Lille's 3-3 draw against Brest in the opening round. As Giroud himself stated, despite his age, "this is only the beginning".