Marseille, inspired by Nwaneri and Algerian forward Gouiri, did PSG a favour

No team has had an easy time playing football at the Velodrome this season, and that proved true even for Ligue 1 leaders Lens. Their 10-game winning streak — one that had lasted almost three months — was brought to an end by Ethan Nwaneri and Amine Gouiri.

Just three minutes in, Amine Gouiri found space in the box and fired on goal. A slight deflection wrong-footed Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, giving Marseille a 1–0 lead. The strike marked Gouiri’s third goal in nine Ligue 1 appearances this season, with Igor Paixao providing his second assist of the 2025–26 campaign.

Gouiri came close to scoring again in the 12th minute with a powerful long-range effort aimed low at the center of the goal, but Risser was alert to save comfortably. A minute later, Ethan Nwaneri doubled Marseille’s lead with a sublime strike from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless and making it 2–0.

Lens had a chance to respond in the 25th minute when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg attempted a direct free kick from the right, but his shot sailed over the bar. Three minutes later, Odsonne Edouard missed another good opportunity, heading a chance just over the crossbar after receiving the ball inside the box. Marseille quickly regained control and maintained the momentum as the half progressed.

Lens tried to respond immediately after the restart, but Marseille remained in control as the second half progressed.

Just a minute into the half, Adrien Thomasson found space in the penalty area after a cut-back from Ruben Aguilar. The midfielder struck a low effort with the inside of his right foot, but his shot drifted just wide of the post. The early stages were scrappy, with the flow repeatedly disrupted by a series of fouls.

Marseille slowly reasserted themselves and threatened again in the 54th minute. Ethan Nwaneri received a clever one-touch pass from Hamed Junior Traore at the edge of the box and fired a left-footed shot, but Robin Risser reacted calmly to gather the ball in two attempts.

The decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute. Timothy Weah delivered a first-time cross from the right side of the penalty area, and Amine Gouiri met it with a first-time right-footed finish. The referee initially hesitated as VAR checked for a possible offside, but after the review, Benoit Bastien pointed to the centre circle to confirm the goal. Gouiri celebrated wildly as Marseille extended their lead and effectively sealed the contest.

In the 85th minute, Rayan Fofana carved out space in the penalty area, met a fine cross and finished low down the middle of the goal.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 19

Friday

Auxerre - PSG 0-1 (0-0)

/Barcola 79/

Saturday

Rennes - Lorient 0-2 (0-1)

/Makengo 3, Pagis 77/

Le Havre - Monaco 0-0

Olympique Marseille - Lens 3-1 (2-0)

/Gouiri 3, 75, Nwaneri 13 - Fofana 85/

Sunday

17.00: (3.05) Nantes (3.50) Nice (2.45)

19.15: (2.85) Brest (3.00) Toulouse (2.75)

19.15: (4.75) Metz (3.80) Olympique Lyon (1.73)

19.15: (1.87) Paris (3.60) Angers (4.60)

22.45: (2.05) Lille (3.60) Strasbourg (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***