Radamel Falcao: Striker substituted as Monaco win

Monaco recorded their first win in four games as Mounir Obbadi's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory at Nantes.

But Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, their £50m summer signing, was substituted on 63 minutes following a distinctly off-key performance.

His replacement, 17-year-old Anthony Martial, had a hand in the winner as Obbadi's long-range effort gave Monaco a win that keeps them in third place.

Alejandro Bedoya should have equalised late on but shot over from close range.

Monaco moved to within five points of Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain but victory had looked unlikely following a subdued first half in which chances were few and far between.

Falcao miscontrolled when Remy Riou's punched clearance fell straight to him, while James Rodriguez shot well over.

Monaco went close early in the second half when Falcao squared the ball but Nantes captain Olivier Veigneau cut out the danger.

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri opted to take off Falcao just after the hour mark and it was move that paid dividends just seven minutes later.

Substitute Martial wriggled his way through and fed a pass to Rodriguez, and though his shot was saved by Riou, the ball dribbled to Obbadi, whose first-time shot flew into the back of the net.

Monaco had to withstand some late Nantes pressure as Issa Cissokho had a goal chalked off for a foul inside the area, before Bedoya flicked the ball over with just Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic to beat.