Khadra and De Smet enjoy it. VALERY HACHE / AFP
Will Still’s men won this Saturday against the Monegasques (3-1) for the 18th day of the championship.
After two consecutive defeats in Ligue 1, Reims set the record straight by striking a blow against Monaco (3-1) this Saturday for the 18th day. Teuma for the visitors opened the scoring (35th) before Ben Yedder tied his team up. But Khadra, with a magnificent goal and Matusiwa sealed the fate of the match. With this success, Will Still’s men move up to 5th place while the Monegasques, 3rd, are under pressure from Brest who welcome Montpellier this Sunday.
Despite the stakes of a second place in the event of victory, the Monegasques did not approach the meeting in the best spirits. With possession, of course, but in a way too sterile to put their opponents in danger. Despite everything, Ouattara got himself a first opportunity but came up against a masterful Diouf (17th). Two minutes later, it was Golovin who tried to shoot, but his attempt ended above the Reims goals. Shortly after, it was Ben Yedder who saw his shot stopped by Diouf (22nd). Dangerous on the counter since the start of the match, the visitors finally scored first. Well served from behind by Daramy, Teuma unleashed a clinical strike with one touch which left Philippe Köhn no chance. Hütter’s men were unable to respond before the break.
The Monegasques react…
Upon returning from the locker room, a small event occurred within the Principality. Balogun, a substitute at kick-off, came on as a substitute against his former club. But it was his partner on the attacking front, Wissam Ben Yedder, who scored the equalizing goal (49th). Taking advantage of a strike from Golovin at the far post, he managed, with a nice reflex of his head, to deceive the opposing goalkeeper. But the Rock did not hold the draw for long. The fault is Reda Khadra, who scored his first goal in Ligue 1. And what a goal! Launched into the depths, he covered fifty meters with bullets, mystifying Maripan before hooking Magassa and shooting Köhn.
Before finally sinking
At the end of the match, the Monegasques were content to play the game, showing themselves to be harmless and without ideas. And they were punished by Azor Matusiwa, who ended all suspense. Playing a one-two with Wilson-Esbrand, he then turned around to face the direction of goal, before landing an unstoppable shot that lodged in the right corner of the Monegasque goals. Another magnificent goal, with which the match ended. Reims offers itself a prestigious success while Monaco fails to get back ahead of Nice.
