Benjamin Mendy is back playing as Lorient thwart Golovin and Balogun-powered Monagasques

Folarin Balogun thought he won the game for Monaco, but Romain Faivre scored with the last kick of the game to give Lorient a dramatic 2-2 Ligue 1 draw in a game which saw Benjamin Mendy's return to professional football after a two-year absence.

For most, it was just an average league game of football in the northwest of France. But, for Benjamin Mendy, it was an emotional occasion as the 2018 World Cup winner returned to professional football after being out for two years and overcoming rape accusations that cost him his career at Manchester City.

The experienced left-back came off the bench with 20 minutes to go as Lorient snatched a point thanks to a last-gasp Faivre leveller.

Mendy's last competitive game before this was back in August 2021 in the Premier League for City against Tottenham. His acquittal two months ago ended a three-year court process. He signed for Lorient just a week after his trial ended. The Frenchman had previously being cleared in January of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault following a six-month trial.

On the pitch, the hosts took an early lead thanks to a Tosin Aiyegun chipped finish. But Ligue 1 leaders turned the game around thanks to their in-form Russian winger Alexandr Golovin and recent recruit from Arsenal Folarin Balogun.

With time running out, Lorient's number 10 Faivre volleyed in a 97th-minute equalizer to stun Adi Hutter's side.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 5

Friday

PSG - Nice 2-3 (1-1)

/Mbappe 29, 87 - Moffi 21, 69, Laborde 53/

Saturday

Rennes - Lille 2-2 (0-1)

/Assignon 74, Salah 89 - Yoro 33, Diakite 62/

Lens - Metz 0-1 (0-1)

/Asoro 37/

Sunday

Lorient - Monaco 2-2 (1-1)

/Tosin 2, Faivre 90+7 - Golovin 17, Balogun 69/

Clermont - Nantes (in progress)

Reims - Brest (in progress)

Strasbourg - Montpellier (in progress)

18.05: (1.50) Olympique Marseille (4.40) Toulouse (6.50)

21.45: (1.70) Olympique Lyon (3.60) Le Havre (5.30)

***odds are subject to change