Plymouth Break Monaco and Reach the Europa League Final

Plymouth Argyle have earned their place in the UEFA Europa League final by refusing to let a wild semi-final slip from their grasp. On Thursday, they beat AS Monaco 3-2 in the second leg, taking the tie 6-5 on aggregate after the sides had drawn 3-3 in the first leg on 1 May.

The night began with Plymouth ahead: Aureli put them in front in the 16th minute, a high shot with the foot finding its way near a post. Boubacar Fall replied for Monaco seven minutes later, with a low shot from close range. The tie was balanced again, and the contest had the uneasy beauty of a door that would not stay shut.

Then André Luiz Audi changed its direction. In the 71st minute, his shot from close range, at mid-height and near a post, restored Plymouth’s lead. Two minutes later, he headed in from close range. His double earned him player of the match; more importantly, it put Plymouth within reach of the final.

Ali Toibibou’s shot from close range, at mid-height through the middle, made it 3-2 in the 85th minute and left the closing minutes alive with danger. Plymouth held on. The French side had one last goal to find, but no more time to find it.

The victory takes Plymouth through 6-5 on aggregate and into the final. Monaco, fourth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, had come to the second leg with the advantage of home-league form behind them; Plymouth, 11th in the English Premier Division, had only the contest itself to answer. They answered with three goals, and with the nerve to survive the last one.