Minimako strikes late to send Monaco 3rd in Ligue 1

PARIS: Japan striker Takumi Minamino scored in the second minute of added time to give Monaco a last-gasp 3-2 win at Lens on Sunday and move them into third in Ligue 1.

The win puts them on 41 points, liting them from fith above Lille and Nice, two points adrit of second-placed Brest who beat Strasbourg 3-0 on Saturday.

Paris Saint-germain, who face Rennes later on Sunday, are currently 10 points clear at the top.

US international Folarin Balogun put Monaco ahead ater just 19 minutes with Minamino doubling the lead on the half-hour.

Lens, however, who began the day one place below Monaco in sixth, struck back immediately through Elye Wahi and Wesley Said levelled in the 77th minute.

Balogun had the chance to restore the lead to Monaco in the 83rd minute but his penalty was blocked by Brice Samba who had no problem collecting the American’s tame follow-up.

Minaminosavedhisteammate’sblusheshowever by drilling home his second goal in stoppage time to take the three points. Meanwhile, midfielder Mahdi Camara scored a first career hat trick as Brest won 3-0 at Strasbourg on Saturday, keeping this season’s surprise front-runner on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

Camara scored twice in the first half for secondplace Brest, an unheralded side from a port city in Britany which has never finished higher than eighth in the top flight.

Camara then coolly converted a penalty in the 60th minute.

He was involved in the buildup to the first goal, too.

Camara did well to win the ball near the edge of the penalty area in the 33rd and, ater a shot was charged down, he guided the rebound into the right corner from 20 meters with the aid of a slight deflection.