Olympique de Marseille extended their unbeaten run to three consecutive Ligue 1 wins, moving within three points of the top three, but did so after a commanding 4-0 lead nearly evaporated in a chaotic finale at the Velodrome. The hosts looked destined for a comfortable victory when Himad Abdelli struck ten minutes into the second half, adding to earlier goals from CJ Egan-Riley, Timothy Weah, and Igor Paixao. However, bottom-placed Le Havre, who remain winless this season, launched a desperate counter-attack. Substitute Josh Maja converted a penalty and added a header, sandwiching a Lamine N’Diaye goal, as the visitors scored three times in just 12 minutes to force a tense conclusion.
Genesio’s side survive a frantic late collapse to secure third straight Ligue 1 victory
The match’s drama peaked in the dying moments when referee Clement Turpin was forced to consult VAR over a potential handball by Tochukwu Nnadi deep into stoppage time. After a lengthy review, Turpin waved away Le Havre’s penalty appeals, allowing Marseille to preserve their three-point advantage. The decision proved pivotal, as a penalty would have leveled the score at 5-5, potentially handing the visitors a draw in a seven-goal thriller. The resilience shown by the defense and the goalkeeper in the closing minutes highlighted the intensity of the fixture, even as the final whistle confirmed the hosts’ dominance in possession and chances created.
Timothy Weah, wearing the captain’s armband, was the standout performer, earning a 7/10 rating for his decisive impact and leadership during the team’s most vulnerable period. Himad Abdelli also shone with a vital goal that extended the lead, while goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange received a 6/10 for his three saves, including a sharp stop of Rayan Fofana’s powerful strike. Although de Lange parried Sota Nakamura’s effort, allowing N’Diaye to tap in the rebound, and could do little about Maja’s penalty and late header, his earlier interventions were crucial in keeping the game under control before the late scare.
Source: Yahoo Sports
