Vicario’s heroics earn Tottenham a point at Monaco in Champions League

When Guglielmo Vicario, the Italian goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur, produced a string of world‑class stops, the match at Stade Louis II turned from a potential loss into a priceless point on October 22, 2025.

The Champions League group‑stage showdown – UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 – saw the English side and the Monegasque club locked at 0‑0 after 90 minutes. Vicario’s eight saves from Monaco’s 23 attempts, including two from U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, kept Tottenham unbeaten in the competition and handed coach Thomas Frank a historic start.

Why the match mattered for both clubs

Tottenham entered the game needing at least a point to stay on pace for a knockout‑stage berth. After comfortably beating Crvena zvezda and Bologna, a slip‑up would have turned the group into a nightmare. Monaco, meanwhile, were on the back foot of a new managerial era under Sebastian Pocognoli, looking to cement their own European credentials.

The Principality’s Stade Louis II isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a fortress owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev that often gives Monaco a home‑field edge. A win would have signalled the club’s intent, while a draw meant they’d have to rely on results elsewhere.

Match timeline: key moments and saves

28th minute – Balogun received a clever one‑two from French youngster Maghnes Akliouche and slotted past the near‑post, only to be denied by Vicario’s reflexes.

36th minute – A second chance for Balogun, this time a low drive from the edge of the box; Vicario leapt low, palms the ball away and the crowd erupted.

68th minute – Substitute Aleksandr Golovin tried a long‑range effort that curled over the bar, but Vicario was ready, tipping it onto the crossbar.

74th minute – Jordan Teze connected with a header from a corner; the ball rattled the inside of the post before Vicario’s point‑blank fingertip save kept the scoreline intact.

Tottenham’s only genuine shot on target came in the 84th minute when Brennan Johnson’s effort was blocked by the young defender Christian Mawissa. The final minutes saw Takumi Minamino miss three chances, underscoring how thin the margin truly was.

Coaches weigh in: Frank and Pocognoli

After the final whistle, an understandably relieved Frank said, “Monaco had a very good performance, and we needed to defend with everything at times. Vicario was exceptional and really kept us in the game.” He added that the return of Xavi Simons was delayed for tactical reasons, a gamble that almost cost a point.

Pocognoli, smiling despite the result, praised Vicario saying, “He was outstanding, made some great saves. He also wasted a lot of time between free‑kicks, but that’s part of the game. We created the chances; he just kept us from scoring.” The Italian’s performance was instantly dubbed “Man of the Match” by the club’s official channels.

Statistical snapshot and what the numbers say

• Tottenham shots: 1 on target, 5 total
• Monaco shots: 8 on target, 23 total
• Vicario saves: 8 (including 3 described as “top‑drawer” by the club)
• Possession: Monaco 55 %, Tottenham 45 %
• Points after three games: Tottenham 5, Monaco 4 (as of Oct 22)

The disparity in shots highlights how much of the game hinged on Vicario’s reflexes. In fact, the Italian’s save percentage (8/23 ≈ 35 %) was the highest among all keepers in the group stage at that point.

Looking ahead: next challenges for Tottenham and Monaco

Tottenham travel to London’s Wembley on November 5 to face Barcelona, a clash that will test whether Frank can translate the gritty draw into a win against a European heavyweight. The team’s confidence is buoyed by the clean sheet, but the lack of firepower remains a concern.

Monaco’s next fixture is against Romanian side CFR Cluj on November 2. Pocognoli will likely stick with his current lineup, hoping to convert the many chances created in Monaco into points. If they can tighten up defensively, they’ll still be in the hunt for a knockout spot.

Historical context: when draws saved the day

The 0‑0 result marks Tottenham’s first goalless draw in 125 matches across all competitions, the previous one occurring on March 14, 2023 against AC Milan in the Champions League Round of 16. Historically, such stalemates have often been turning points – think of the 2004 "Cinderella" draw against Ajax that propelled a then‑mid‑table side into the quarter‑finals.

For Vicario, this match adds a new chapter to his résumé. After impressing at Udinese and moving to Tottenham this summer, he now has the rare distinction of being the first keeper to earn a man‑of‑the‑match award in a Champions League debut for the club.