Monaco United made their historic debut at the 2026 Mediterranean Cup final, facing Olympique de Marseille’s reserve team. The closely contested battle had to be decided by a penalty shootout after the sides finished level at 2-2, ultimately sealing Monaco’s defeat after two missed penalties.
Even ahead of the match, Monaco had much to be proud of. The team had already had a historic season and became the first district-level club in the history of the Mediterranean Cup to reach the final.
Despite the challenge ahead, Monaco showed up strong. From the opening minutes, Monaco played with ambition, remaining true to themselves and maintaining intensity throughout. Their goal, no matter the opponent, was to play on their own terms.
With a large crowd gathered to watch such an intense matchup, both teams delivered a highly competitive contest. Monaco had many promising opportunities, but Olympique de Marseille struck first 15 minutes into the match to take a 1-0 lead.
Marco Simone’s team, however, did not show signs of giving up and responded with more determination than before. At around the 30-minute mark, Sarah Lakhssassi found the equalizer for Monaco, tying the score at 1-1.
The fight did not end there, as Marseille managed to regain the advantage just before halftime and secure a 2-1 lead. Simone’s message to the team at halftime was clear: raise the tempo and continue playing boldly.
Monaco did exactly that as the game resumed, dominating possession, attacking, and creating opportunities wherever possible. The defining moment of the match came when Alicia Sweye beat three opponents before producing a strike to level the match at 2-2.
Despite further chances to take the lead, Monaco was unable to convert, sending the match into a penalty shootout. Although Marina Makanza and Manon Fray successfully converted their penalties, two missed attempts ultimately handed Olympique de Marseille the title.
Simone held his head high following a hard-fought performance from his team. “This final reflected everything football should be: intensity, quality play, chances, and a real balance between two excellent teams. Despite the disappointment, we represented the club and our district with pride.”
With many accomplishments already under its belt this season, Monaco must now turn the page towards their next major challenge. On Sunday, 24 May, Monaco United will face a decisive promotion playoff against Étoile d’Aubune. With the opportunity to gain an advantage ahead of the return leg and move one step closer to promotion, the match will carry significant importance for the club. Simone said, “Whether we win or lose, our response remains the same: keep working and keep moving forward.”
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Photo credit: Flare Vision