Folarin Balogun scored his first AS Monaco goal just minutes after coming on against Lorient on Sunday, but they were pegged back late for a draw.

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Folarin Balogun of the United States looks on against Oman at Allianz Field on September 12, 2023. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Folarin Balogun of the United States looks on against Oman at Allianz Field on September 12, 2023. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

Folarin Balogun is yet to start for AS Monaco since his high-profile summer transfer from Arsenal, but the striker got the chance to come on for his second substitute appearance against FC Lorient on Sunday.

Balogun entered the action in the 66th minute, with the two sides level at 1-1.

Tosin Aiyegun had given Lorient a very early lead, before Aleksandr Golovin equalised in the 17th minute. Balogun had the chance to give his side the advantage with a goal, and it was an opportunity he didn’t waste.

NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY: Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Just three minutes after entering the field, Balogun picked up the ball in space on the left-hand side of the D at the edge of the penalty area.

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The striker pushed the ball down the line away from the closing defender, before finishing clinically with his left foot at the near post.

One of Balogun’s strengths has always been his ability to score goals with his weaker left foot, and he made no mistake on this occasion.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 18: Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC looks on during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC: Folarin Balogun #26 of Arsenal FC looks on during the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 18, 2023. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

It was the perfect entrance for the former Gunner, but the good feeling didn’t last.

In the eighth minute of six minutes of injury time, a somewhat hopeful long ball arrived on the head of Souleymane Isaak Toure, who headed down for Romain Faivre to score a dramatic equaliser.

So it wasn’t the perfect day for Balogun, but he’s certainly doing no harm to his reputation among his new supporters.

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