Barcelona's flawless start to the season affected by early red card in Champions League

Monaco: Barcelona's perfect start to the season hit its first stumbling block when defender Eric Garcia was sent off after just 11 minutes at Monaco in the revamped Champions League on Thursday.

Garcia pulled back Takumi Minamino when the Japan forward intercepted a panicky pass out from Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Barca won its first five league games in the Spanish league under new coach Hansi Flick but saw Monaco take the lead in the 16th through midfielder Maghnes Akliouche.

Akliouche, who represented France at the Paris Olympics, scored from the right side of the penalty area with national team coach Didier Deschamps watching.

Deschamps was not the only well-known face in the crowd at Stade Louis II. Basketball great Michael Jordan was there, too.

Jordan watched teenage superstar Lamine Yamal equalize for Barca in the 28th with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area.

It was his fourth goal of the season but the first of the European Championship-winning Spain forward's career in the Champions League.

According to UEFA, Yamal became the second-youngest scorer in Champions League history at 17 years and 68 days — just 28 days older than teammate Ansu Fati when he netted against Inter Milan in December 2019.

In July, Yamal became the youngest player ever to score at a Euro when he netted a stunning goal in Spain’s semifinal victory over France.

Fati, meanwhile, recovered from a foot injury to figure in Flick’s squad.

The 21-year-old forward, who returned from a loan to English Premier League club Brighton, had not played for Barca since 2023. AP