Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena scored on his Champions League debut as Monaco produced a stunning 2-1 upset against 10-man Barcelona.
The 18-year-old substitute not only secured the victory but also became the youngest goalscorer in Monaco’s Champions League history at 18 years and 34 days, breaking Kylian Mbappé’s previous record of 18 years and 63 days.
Ilenikhena raced onto Vanderson’s long ball over the top of the defense in the 71st minute and blasted his shot past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to give Monaco the decisive lead.
It was his first goal since signing from Royal Antwerp in the summer.
Eric Garcia had earlier been shown a straight red card with just 10 minutes gone after fouling Takumi Minamino as the last man, following a poor pass out from the back by Ter Stegen.
Monaco took the lead soon after when Maghnes Akliouche slotted past a rooted Ter Stegen. Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal equalized with his first Champions League goal, latching onto a long ball and drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
But Ilenikhena’s goal condemned Barcelona to an opening defeat.
He was also named the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
In addition to his record-setting goal, Ilenikhena made history as the first player in the competition’s history to score against the same team in successive games but for different clubs, having previously netted for Antwerp’s winner against Barcelona last December.
Vanderson’s strike from the edge of the area was pushed past the post, while Minamino had an effort deflected onto the crossbar for the hosts.
Folarin Balogun had a penalty overturned late on by VAR after he was judged to have gone down too easily under Inigo Martinez’s challenge.
