[monks data]

Ligue 1

Apr 6, 2014 at 8pm UK

Monaco Monaco
3-1
Nantes Nantes

Rodriguez (18', 76' pen.), Raggi (72')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Bedoya (78')

HT Report

Match Report

Football

James Rodriguez stars in Monaco win

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 06 April 2014

James Rodriguez bags a brace to help AS Monaco secure a 3-1 victory over Nantes at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 tonight.

James Rodriguez bagged a brace to help AS Monaco secure a 3-1 victory over Nantes at Stade Louis II in Ligue 1 tonight.

Monaco's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez (2nd R) celebrates after opening the scoring during the French L1 football match Monaco (ASM) vs Nantes (FCN) on April 6, 2014 © Getty Images

Rodriguez fired the Principality club ahead after 18 minutes, collecting a pass from Dimitar Berbatov before shooting beyond goalkeeper Maxime Dupe from outside the box.

The 22-year-old turned provider to help Claudio Ranieri's side double their advantage, crossing for Andrea Raggi to head home on 71 minutes.

Nantes' Israeli forward Itay Shechter (C) vies with Monaco's Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho (R) during the French L1 football match Monaco (ASM) vs Nantes (FCN) on April 6, 2014 © Getty Images

Things went from bad to worse for Les Canaris shortly after when Fabinho earned a penalty after being fouled by Dupe, before Rodriguez stepped up and kept his cool from 12 yards.

Michel Der Zakarian's men responded positively to the three-goal deficit and reduced the arrears moments later courtesy of a Alejandro Bedoya header, but it proved a mere consolation as Monaco held on for the win.