Barcelona made a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign by losing 2-1 to AS Monaco on Thursday after defender Eric Garcia was sent off early in the match.

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

The result ended a perfect start to the season for Barca, who had won their first five La Liga games under new coach Hansi Flick but saw Monaco take the lead in the 16th minute through midfielder Maghnes Akliouche.

Akliouche, who represented France at the Paris Olympics, scored from the right side of the penalty area as national coach Didier Deschamps looked on.

Deschamps wasn’t the only famous face in the crowd at Stade Louis II. Basketball legend Michael Jordan was also there.

Jordan watched teenage superstar Lamine Yamal equalise for Barça with a stunning left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 28th minute.

It was his fourth goal of the season, but the first of the Spanish striker’s career, who became European champion in the Champions League.

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

In July, Yamal became the youngest player ever to score at a European Championship when he scored a stunning goal in Spain’s semi-final against France.

Fati has since recovered from a foot injury and was now part of Flick’s squad.

The 21-year-old attacker, who returned from a loan at English Premier League club Brighton, has not played for Barça since 2023.

This story uses information from Reuters and The Associated Press.