Paris, Aug 25 (IANS): Radamel Falcao scored in his first competitive start in seven months as Monaco beat Nantes 1-0 to claim their first French Ligue 1 victory of the season in three games.

The Colombia forward, who missed the second half of last season and missed the summer's World Cup in Brazil after suffering a serious knee injury in January, headed home just before the break to secure their first points of the campaign, connecting a delicate cross of Layvin Kurzawa from the left Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Nantes' best chance came in the 22nd minute when Yacine Bammou outfoxed both of Monaco's centre backs to get into the box but was brought down by keeper Danijel Subasic to earn the home side a penalty. Striker Serge Gakpe, however, stepped up to the spot but missed the target.

Monaco lost 1-2 at home to Lorient in their opener and were then thrashed 1-4 by Bordeaux, ranked last without a point before Sunday's away game at Nantes. And the 1-0 victory lifted the runners-up of last season up to the 17th, away from the relegation zone.

Lens was the other team that picked up their first win of the new season Sunday, nipping a 1-0 success at Lyon. Lalaina Nomenjanahary scored the only goal for Antoine Kombouare's side.