Cypriot First Division defending champions Pafos pulled off a stunning late 2-2 draw against Monaco on matchday 5 on the UEFA Champions League League Phase match of the 2025/26 season at the Alphamega Stadium on Wednesday.

In the first half, Takumi Minamino opened the scoring, Anderson's long-range shot hit the crossbar, former Chelsea veteran David Luiz scored with a header, and a blunder by Michail allowed Balogun to easily score. In the crucial moments of the second half, Salisu inadvertently scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball off the goal line, sealing the the match's outcome. Ultimately, Pafos secured a surprise late 2-2 draw against Monaco. After this round of matches, Pafos, who hampered by injuries and limited to being only able to name seven substitutes, sits in 24th place with 6 points, while Les Monegasque is currently in 23rd with 6 points.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, Folarin Balogun passes horizontally from the attacking third, Upon receiving the pass, Maghnes Akliouche took a few steps before taking powerful left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Neofytos Michail.

3 minutes later, Akliouche passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Takumi Minamino quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from the center of the box, giving Monaco an early 0-1 lead! This was the 22nd goal that the Japan international winger had scored for Monaco in all competitions!

Shortly after, Mislav Oršić passes horizontally from the attacking third. Upon receiving the pass, Anderson took a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot unfortunately struck the crossbar and bounced off! Pafos missed a golden opportunity to quickly equalize against Monaco!

In the 18th minute, Pafos earned a deadly corner kick opportunity. Oršić took the corner by crossing it into the box, where David Luiz rose high and scored with a header in the box, leveling the score at 1-1 for Pafos against Monaco! This was the former Chelsea and Brazil international defender's first Champions League goal in five years!

6 minutes later, Monaco launched a swift and deadly counter-attack. Michail made a horrible error while clearing the ball in his own penalty area, allowing Folarin Balogun to intercept the ball, and volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from the right side of the box with a left-footed shot after successfully beating the offside trap, putting Monaco back ahead at 1-2! This is the former Arsenal striker's fifth goal this month for both his country and club in all competitions!

In the 30th minute, Pafos earned a free kick opportunity. Oršić took the free kick by crossing it into the box from outside the penalty area. David Goldar rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was blocked by Mohammed Salisu.

In the 42nd minute, Akliouche delivered an overhead diagonal pass from the attacking third. After beating the offside trap and quickly following up, Vanderson strucked the ball with a right-footed shot from a very close distance in the box upon receiving the pass, but his shot was saved by Michail.

At halftime, Pafos temporarily trailed Monaco by 1-2 going into the break.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 49th minute, Minamino played a through ball from the attacking third. Balogun quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, strucked the ball with a right-footed shot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot was blocked by Michail's outstretched leg.

4 minutes later, Vlad Dragomir played a through ball from the midfield center circle, After beating the offside trap, Anderson quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before strucking the ball with a right-footed shot, but his shot was saved by Lukas Hradecky.

In the 61st minute, Bruno Filipe crossed into the box from the right wing, where Vlad Dragomir rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Hradecky.

3 minutes later, Monaco earned a corner kick opportunity. Lamine Camara took the corner by crossing it into the box, where Denis Zakaria rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Michail.

In the 87th minute, Bruno Filipe threw the ball into the penalty area via a throw-in. David Luiz headed it across before and Mislav Oršić volleyed with his right foot from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Hradecky.

Shortly after, Oršić crossed into the box from the byline at the left wing. Ivan Šunjić rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort unfortunately struck the crossbar and was then inadvertently deflected into his own net by Mohammed Salisu on the goal line, resulting in an own goal! Pafos pulled off an late dramatic 2-2 draw against Monaco!

When the finial whistle is blown, Pafos stunned Monaco with a shock late 2-2 draw.