PSG beats Marseille 2-1 at the Vélodrome as OM’s losing streak reaches five

Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille at the Vélodrome on Sunday, extending their winning run to three matches across all competitions while condemning the hosts to a fifth consecutive defeat

Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2-1 win against Olympique de Marseille at the Vélodrome on Sunday, making it three straight victories in all competitions. For Marseille, the result marks a fifth successive loss, deepening the crisis at the club.

The win follows PSG’s triumphs over Bratislava in the Champions League and Brest in Ligue 1, suggesting the Parisians’ season is gaining momentum. However, the double European champions hardly delivered a commanding performance in Marseille, where OM fought until the final whistle.

Bruno Genesio’s side, facing a superior opponent, produced a coherent and courageous display but still left with another defeat—their fifth in six matches this season. Applause from the Marseille crowd at the final whistle may have softened the blow slightly.

After four consecutive losses, including in the Europa League, and with the clash against their old rivals seeming more predictable than ever, Marseille fans showed little enthusiasm for this Classique on Sunday.

Dembélé struggles to make an impact

Yet this OM side, already in the relegation zone and second from bottom at kick-off, started the match well, aided by a PSG performance that lacked inspiration.

Marseille, forced to substitute the injured Paixao early, chased the ball for much of the game. But the contest remained competitive because Paris failed to make the most of their possession.

The best chance of the first half actually fell to Marseille, with Neal Maupay missing an incredible opportunity in the 36th minute. Ousmane Dembélé then headed wide in the 42nd, highlighting that wasteful finishing was shared by both sides.

At the break, the score remained 0-0, and the Vélodrome was once again proud of their team.

After the restart, Dembélé, clearly not at his best, blasted a shot into the middle of the Virage Sud in the 53rd minute. Almost a year to the day, the PSG No.10 was celebrating his Ballon d’Or while OM beat a PSG side that had their minds on the Théâtre du Châtelet.

The scenario might have repeated itself had Maupay not missed another huge chance in the 62nd minute, just before both coaches turned to their benches—which are hardly comparable in quality.

Gomes strikes back

For PSG, Luis Enrique brought on Ferran Torres, who scored in the World Cup final, while Genesio introduced Keyliane Abdallah, who has just 20 professional appearances.

Unsurprisingly, talent made the difference, and Paris took the lead through their Spanish world champion: a perfect cross from Désiré Doué, a perfect run, and a perfect header from Ferran Torres (1-0, 66th minute).

Marseille, however, showed the courage to believe and equalised through the much-criticised Angel Gomes, who scored after a move initiated by a Dembélé turnover, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg applying pressure (1-1, 72nd minute).

But the Vélodrome’s hopes lasted only two minutes, as Marquinhos, who cannot stop scoring, converted an excellent Nuno Mendes cross in two attempts (2-1, 74th minute).

Thereafter, Timothy Weah’s sending-off (76th minute) made life easier for the Parisians, who controlled the game without ever putting it beyond doubt.

With the international break approaching, Paris will aim in October to climb further up the table and look more like the double European champions they are. There is time.

For Marseille, 17th in the league, there is no money, no bench, and not many points either. They will need to find some.

By Claire Mvondo — Security and State Policy Expert