In the early hours of Wednesday (23), Monaco thrashed Red Star Belgrade 5-1 at home, with midfielder Takumi Minamino scoring twice and contributing an assist. This is the first Japanese player to score two solo goals and contribute an assist in a single match since the establishment of the European Union.
In the 20th minute of the match, Takumi Minamino broke the offside restriction and rode a solo goal. Although Red Star Belgrade equalized with a penalty kick in the second half, Monaco remained firmly in control of the game, and in first-half stoppage time, Bilje Safarou extended the lead once again.
The deadlock was broken when Monaco stalwart Werfetxin Gao fired a stunning world volley from more than 30 yards away from goal. The Ligue 1 powerhouse's attack came in waves, with Takumi Minamino adding a second before Elliotje made it 5-1 in stoppage time.
Takumi Minamino was honored as Man of the Match after an eye-catching all-round performance. The 29-year-old midfielder statistically became the first player to score twice for Monaco in the Europa League in the last seven years since Kilian McBarbie in 2017. He followed Shinji Kagawa as the second Japanese player to score in the Europa League with greater efficiency and an assist, and was hailed as the strongest Japanese in Europa League history.
Meanwhile, another Ligue 1 team, Paris Saint-Germain, did not fare as well, drawing 1-1 with Yanhofen on the road with only a goal from Ashraf.
