Ligue 1: Marseille's Title Hopes Dented as PSG Secure Seventh Consecutive Win

Paris Saint-Germain extended their Ligue 1 lead to 19 points with a 3-1 win over Marseille in Le Classique, thanks in part to Ousmane Dembele's 25th goal in his last 20 matches across all competitions.

Paris Saint-Germain continued their dominance in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille in Le Classique, extending their lead at the top of the table to 19 points. This win marked PSG's fifth consecutive triumph in the prestigious fixture.

PSG's return to domestic action after their impressive performance at Anfield was always going to be a challenging one, especially against their long-standing rivals. The match began with a highly competitive tone, as Amine Gouiri's free-kick was saved, while Nuno Mendes saw his attempts denied by Geoffrey Kondogbia and Geronimo Rulli within the opening 10 minutes.

Ousmane Dembele's exceptional form continued as he scored the opening goal, extending his remarkable record to 25 goals from his last 20 matches across all competitions. Dembele latched onto Fabian Ruiz's pass, turned away from Rulli, and fired into the net, showcasing his undeniable talent.

Le Classique is for PSG! ✅👏 pic.twitter.com/A3DRkfnUQm

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 16, 2025

Marseille's hopes of a comeback were reignited when Adrien Rabiot rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma and selflessly passed the ball to Amine Gouiri, who capitalized on the opportunity. This moment of brilliance came shortly after Ousmane Dembele had fired over from Desire Doue's cutback, missing a chance to extend PSG's lead.

Dembele came close to restoring PSG's two-goal cushion on the hour mark, but his shot was deflected onto the post by Luiz Felipe. Shortly after, Warren Zaire-Emery was denied by Sergio Rulli, who rushed out to make a crucial save. Despite these close calls, PSG's defense remained resilient, protecting their lead.

In an effort to turn the tide, Roberto De Zerbi made a triple substitution. However, PSG continued to press, and their efforts paid off in the 76th minute. Pol Lirola inadvertently turned Achraf Hakimi's cross into his own net, sealing the win for PSG. Marseille's attempts to mount a comeback were unsuccessful, with Quentin Merlin's strike sailing marginally wide.

The defeat marked Marseille's third loss in their last four matches, a stark contrast to their previous form, which saw them lose only one of 11 league fixtures. The loss also allowed PSG to extend their advantage over Marseille to 19 points, as they recorded their seventh consecutive win in Ligue 1.