Brunner stunner sends Monaco top of Ligue 1 despite Strasbourg draw

Paris Brunner celebrates after scoring Monaco’s equaliser in its 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Saturday. | Photo Credit: AFP

Monaco moved to the top of the Ligue 1 standings despite seeing its perfect start to the season end in a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg on Saturday.

Paris Brunner rescued a point for the visitor with an impressive long-range strike in the 71st minute. The German picked up possession shortly beyond the halfway line, drove forward and curled his effort into the top corner to bring Monaco level.

Strasbourg had taken the lead seven minutes after the restart. Spanish defender Oso delivered a free-kick into the Monaco penalty area, where Sadibou Sane inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.

The draw took Monaco to 10 points from four matches and lifted it above Rennes at the summit on goal difference. Rennes had beaten Olympique de Marseille 1-0 at home on Friday.

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Strasbourg remained sixth with seven points from its opening four league matches.

Monaco had entered the contest having won each of its first three games but was put under pressure during the opening half. Strasbourg created several opportunities, with Gessime Yassine going close when he hooked a shot narrowly wide from close range 11 minutes before the interval.

The visitor improved as the match progressed and pushed for a winner after Brunner’s equaliser.

Denis Zakaria appeared to have completed the turnaround when he found the net following a corner late in the contest, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Monaco has now conceded only twice in its opening four Ligue 1 matches.