On Saturday, March 8, 2025, RC Lens shocked Olympique de Marseille with a 1-0 victory, thanks to Neil El Aynaoui's dramatic late goal. This gripping encounter marked the 25th matchday of Ligue 1 and solidified Lens's standing as they chase higher league positions.
From the get-go, Marseille showcased their dominance by holding over 75% possession during the first half. Yet, they could not capitalize on their control, missing two key opportunities early on. Despite having strong attacking players, like Amine Gouiri and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg, the Marseille side failed to register any goals due to the resilient defense set up by Lens.
The first half was riddled with frustration for the home crowd as Marseille aimed to break the deadlock. The defensive strategies employed by Lens, under the guidance of coach Will Still, were proving effective, stifling Marseille's advances. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan emerged as the team's hero, making pivotal saves to keep Lens level as Marseille ramped up their attacks.
Highlighted were several missed chances, including attempts by Quentin Merlin and Leonardo Balerdi, both of which grazed the bar, leaving fans and players alike despondent at halftime.
Marseille managed to make tactical changes during the second half, introducing substitutes Mason Greenwood and Luis Henrique to shake things up. The move, aimed at breaking through Lens's fortified defenses, saw slightly improved performance from the Phocéens, though they still struggled to convert their efforts to meaningful opportunities.
Yellow cards were issued for some intense on-field clashes, with Valentin Rongier and Ismaël Bennacer both cautioned; this tension underscored the stakes and the ferocity of the match as it drew to its climax.
With the game heading toward the closing minutes, Lens was presented with their chance to strike. The visitors mounted a final counter-attack, which culminated dramatically just as the match seemed destined for stalemate.
At the 90+4 minute mark, Florian Sotoca made a key play, sending Deiver Machado sprinting behind the Marseille defense. Machado managed to elude defenders and set up Neil El Aynaoui, who unleashed a stunning shot, hitting the back of the net and sealing the victory for Lens.
Following their hard-fought win, El Aynaoui expressed his views on the match, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. “On a fait un match de bonhommes,” he said. “On avait pas mal d’absents mais c’est tout un groupe qui joue, tout une famille. On a fait le match qu’on voulait faire et c’est de bon augure pour la suite. On savait que gagner ici, ce n’était pas rien. Il faut savourer cette victoire. C’est la dernière ligne droite, on la prend en allant de l’avant.” (translated: “We played like real men. We had quite a few absentees, but it’s the whole group, the whole family working together. We played the game we wanted to, and this bodes well for the future. We knew winning here is no small feat. We must savor this victory as we head down the final stretch.”)
This victory not only shores up Lens’s place as they push for more wins later this season but also leaves the future uncertain for Marseille. With this loss, they risk losing their second-place standing if OGC Nice wins their upcoming match against Lyon. While the result may draw lines of concern for Marseille's management and coaching staff, for RC Lens, it’s back to the drawing board with renewed momentum.
Next, RC Lens will prepare to welcome Stade Rennais, who suffered defeat to PSG earlier the same day, as they look to build on their victory at the Vélodrome. Meanwhile, Marseille’s upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain, known as the Clasico, demands urgent reflection on their performance and tactical approach moving forward.
With goals to achieve and pride to reclaim, both teams stand at crossroads, as the season progresses and the stakes grow higher with every match. The battlefield of Ligue 1 continues to intensify, and as we've seen with this match, anything can happen.