Folarin Balogun scored twice on a record-breaking night for an American in the Champions League, although his heroics could not prevent Monaco losing to holders Paris St Germain.
The United States men’s national team striker put his side ahead after just 55 seconds of their playoff first leg tie, with a thumping header from Aleksandr Golovin’s cross.
Balogun struck again in the all-Ligue 1 affair after 18 minutes, when he sprinted onto Maghnes Akliouche’s ball, burst in the box and guided a cool finish past PSG keeper Matvey Safonov.
The brace meant that the 24-year-old has the most goals for American in a single Champions League season with five, overtaking AC Milan star Christian Pulisic’s tally of four.
AIR BALOGUN ✈️
Folarin Balogun buries his header to give Monaco the perfect start against PSG🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yojklteZm3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2026
He also became the first USMNT international to score two goals in a knockout stage game in the competition.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman is the only other USMNT star with a Champions League brace, which he netted last month in his team’s final game of the league stage against Villarreal.
Balogun’s first goal of the game at the Stade Louis II stadium on Tuesday was also the 10th fastest on record in a Champions League knockout match.
Despite Monaco’s Balogun-inspired lightning start to the game, they were reduced to 10 men on 48 minutes when Golovin was sent off for a late tackle on Vitinha.
FOLARIN BALOGUN AT THE DOUBLE 🇺🇸💥
Less than twenty minutes in and the USMNT striker has the European champions stunned in Monaco 😤 pic.twitter.com/eKJmu6APom
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2026
With the numerical advantage Paris St Germain rallied and came back to win 3-2, with two goals from Désiré Doué and one from Achraf Hakimi.
Balogun was replaced on 83 minutes by Danish striker Mika Biereth as Monaco chased a way back into the game they had led so emphatically in the first half. The second leg is at Parc des Princes next Wednesday.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that Balogun is his first choice forward ahead of the World Cup, however, Tuesday’s double came at a welcome time. While presumptive second-string Ricardo Pepi is still out injured, EFL Championship duo Haji Wright and Patrick Agyemang have hit solid form to boost their chance of catching Pochettino’s attention.
Wright bagged a hat-trick for league leaders Coventry against Middlesbrough last weekend, while Agyemang helped Derby to a comfortable victory over Swansea that kept the team in the playoff places.
Earlier on Tuesday in the first playoff match of this season’s competition, Weston McKennie continued his impressive form for Juventus. After creating two goals for the Turin side in their defeat by Inter Milan on Saturday, he was provider again in their tie at Galatasaray.
Teun Koopmeiners lashes home his second goal of the game off the Weston McKennie assist 🚀 pic.twitter.com/HhHjnJAMiS
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2026
Deployed as a false number nine by manager Luciano Spalletti, the Texan shone as he caused problems for the Turkish outfit in the first half with his clever movement. His slick link-up with Teun Koopmeiners allowed the Dutchman to score and make it 1-1 in the first half of an end-to-end contest.
In the end, Galatasaray were 5-2 winners and McKennie & Co must produce a strong response in the next leg at the Allianz stadium on Wednesday February 25 if they are to progress.
Elsewhere, USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah was an unused substitute for Atalanta in their 2-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund.