USMNT's Balogun scores in 8th straight game as Monaco draw

USA star Folarin Balogun scored in an eighth consecutive Ligue 1 game for Monaco on Sunday but could not stop his side dropping more points in their quest for European qualification.

Former Arsenal striker Balogun, who is set to lead the United States attack for the co-hosts at the World Cup, scored from the penalty spot just before the hour mark but that goal was only enough for Monaco to draw 2-2 with relegation-threatened Auxerre.

The visitors had been two goals ahead at the break in the principality thanks to strikes by Kevin Danois and Lassine Sinayoko, but on-loan Barcelona star Ansu Fati pulled a goal back on 56 minutes for Monaco and Balogun equalised a few minutes later.

Monaco had roared back into contention to qualify for the Champions League on a run of seven straight wins, but that streak ended in a 4-1 loss at Paris FC last weekend and this latest slip-up leaves them out of the European slots altogether in seventh, currently three points adrift of the top four.

Balogun has now scored 18 goals in total this season including 10 in his last 10 games between league and Champions League -- he is now gunning for former Brazil star Sonny Anderson's 21st-century Ligue 1 record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches.