Villarreal 1 Monaco 2: Alexandre Pato scores for new club but visitors in control after Bernardo Silva winner
Fabinho opened the scoring with an early penalty for Monaco before Pato hit back... but Silva scored the winner
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MONACO put one foot into the group stage of the Champions League with a win at Villarreal.
Despite missing Radamel Falcao (or maybe because of it...) the visitors were able to score a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.
Fabinho opened the scoring just three minutes in from the penalty spot, after Thomas Lemar was brought down.
However, Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato pulled the Yellow Submarine back into the game, equalising for Villarreal on his home debut - powering home a header.
Pato, 26, moved to the La Liga club for around £2.5m for 60 per cent of his rights after Chelsea opted against signing him permanently.
Portuguese winger Silva has been Monaco's hero this week.
He came off the bench at the weekend to score the equaliser in Monaco's Ligue 1 opening draw with Guingamp, and he restored their advantage at El Madrigal on Wednesday.
Leonardo Jardim's away side closed out the victory despite having Benjamin Mendy sent off late on.