Paris Saint-Germain continued their dominant run in Ligue 1 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille in Le Classique. The win not only secured PSG’s fifth consecutive triumph in this historic fixture but also extended their lead at the top of the table to a staggering 19 points.
Returning to domestic action after their memorable UEFA Champions League win at Anfield, PSG showed no signs of slowing down as they dismantled their bitter rivals with a clinical display at the Stade Vélodrome.
A Fierce Start to Le Classique
From the opening whistle, both teams showed attacking intent, setting the tone for an entertaining encounter. Marseille nearly found an early breakthrough when Amine Gouiri’s free-kick forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into action. Moments later, PSG’s Nuno Mendes saw his attempts blocked by Geoffrey Kondogbia and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in quick succession.
Despite the early pressure from the hosts, it was PSG’s red-hot forward Ousmane Dembélé who broke the deadlock. The French winger latched onto a well-timed pass from Fabian Ruiz, turned away from Rulli with a slick move, and fired into the net to continue his incredible form—his 25th goal in the last 20 matches across all competitions.
Pressure? What pressure! Dembélé always delivers in big games pic.twitter.com/i3do8ZdLSb
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 17, 2025
Marseille Push Forward, but PSG Strike Again
Marseille responded with a series of attacking moves, showing glimpses of their quality. Adrien Rabiot came close with a header that went just wide, while Bilal Nadir earned a free-kick in a promising position, only to see his effort crash into the defensive wall. Gouiri’s follow-up shot was then deflected wide by Vitinha.
PSG’s defense momentarily looked shaky when a misplaced pass from Achraf Hakimi gifted Marseille an opportunity, but Donnarumma was alert to palm away Valentin Rongier’s effort. However, just as Marseille appeared to be gaining momentum, PSG struck again.
Fabian Ruiz played a precise ball behind the Marseille defense, allowing Nuno Mendes to glide past the backline and slide his finish past Rulli in the 42nd minute. The goal gave PSG a commanding lead heading into halftime, silencing the home crowd and reinforcing their superiority in the fixture.
Marseille’s Hope Short-Lived as PSG Seal the Victory
The second half saw PSG maintain their attacking intensity. Dembélé, already on the scoresheet, nearly doubled his tally just moments after the restart, but his shot from a Desire Doue cutback sailed over the bar.
Marseille found a lifeline in the 57th minute when Rabiot rounded Donnarumma and unselfishly squared the ball for Gouiri, who tapped into an open net to reduce the deficit. The goal reignited the atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome, giving the hosts a renewed sense of hope.
However, PSG quickly regained control, and Dembélé came agonizingly close to restoring their two-goal lead, only to see his shot deflected onto the post by Luiz Felipe. Rulli then made a brave save to deny Warren Zaire-Emery, but Marseille’s resistance was finally broken in the 76th minute.
Paris wins #LeClassique!
The highlights of our new win against Marseille at the Parc des Princes (3-1)!#PSGOM pic.twitter.com/1AJZuFa29s
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 16, 2025
Hakimi sent a dangerous cross into the box, and Pol Lirola inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear. The own goal all but sealed Marseille’s fate, as PSG comfortably saw out the final minutes to secure their seventh straight Ligue 1 victory.
PSG’s Dominance in Ligue 1 Continues
With this victory, PSG extended their lead over second-placed Marseille to 19 points, virtually wrapping up the Ligue 1 title with several games to spare. Their incredible winning streak in the league highlights the gap in quality between them and their closest challengers.
For Marseille, the defeat marked their third loss in four matches, further denting their hopes of keeping pace with PSG. After a strong run of form earlier in the season, Les Olympiens have now hit a rough patch at a critical time.
What’s Next for PSG and Marseille?
PSG will now shift their focus back to the Champions League as they aim to continue their impressive European campaign. With their attack firing on all cylinders and their squad depth proving invaluable, they remain one of the favorites to go all the way.
Marseille, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. Despite their recent struggles, they are still in contention for European qualification and will be eager to turn things around before the season reaches its climax.
As PSG continues to dominate French football, their rivals are left searching for answers. With another Le Classique victory in the books, Les Parisiens reaffirm their status as the undisputed kings of Ligue 1.
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