Paris: Mario Balotelli scored a brace as Monaco’s record 16-match winning streak in Ligue 1 was ended with a 4-0 thumping by Nice at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday.
Balotelli’s early penalty put Nice ahead, before Alassane Plea made it two in the 18th minute.
Monaco tried to apply some pressure early in the second period, but Balotelli completed a brace to put the game beyond the reach of the reigning French champions and substitute Ignatius Ganago finished the rout to leave the visitors shell-shocked.
Good display
It was a vibrant display from Nice, who finished third last season.
For Monaco, it could prove a costly loss, as they slipped three points behind early leaders Paris Saint-Germain after their first match since teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe left for the capital club.
Balotelli returned from injury to make his first league start of the campaign, but close-season signing Wesley Sneijder missed out after hobbling off at half-time in the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against France last week.
A rapid counter-attack from the hosts caught Monaco cold in just the fifth minute, and after Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic had denied Plea, Balotelli was hauled down in the area by Djibril Sidibe.
Coach Leonardo Jardim made two changes to try and turn around Monaco’s fortunes. Despite having the majority of possession, Monaco continued to struggle.
