On March 16, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed victory against their traditional rivals, Olympique de Marseille (OM), with a final score of 3-1 during a highly anticipated Ligue 1 clash at Parc des Princes. This match marked the 26th round of the league season and continued PSG's dominance over OM.
PSG started strong, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring the first goal just 17 minutes after the kickoff. Following a cross from Fabian Ruiz, which bypassed several defenders, Dembélé deftly rounded the goalkeeper, Agustín Rulli, before slotting the ball home. The early lead set the tone for the Parisians, who aimed to assert their continued supremacy over the Phocaeans.
"It’s hard to explain how important this win is; it boosts our confidence as we aim for the top of the standings again," said Dembélé shortly after the match.
Nuno Mendes increased the lead just before halftime, scoring PSG's second goal at the 42nd minute. With pinpoint accuracy, Achraf Hakimi delivered the ball to Mendes, who executed a low shot past Rulli. This goal brought PSG to a comfortable 2-0 advantage at the break, leaving OM with plenty to ponder going forward.
Marseille, undeterred, made significant changes during the second half aimed at increasing their momentum. Their efforts bore fruit when Amine Gouiri found the back of the net for OM, reducing the score to 2-1 just minutes after the restart. Gouiri, benefiting from some poor Parisian defense, latched onto the ball after intercepting a misguided pass from Nuno Mendes. He capitalized by skillfully maneuvering past Gianluigi Donnarumma to score.
Despite the surge from OM, the game's turning point came when Pol Lirola, who had entered just minutes earlier, committed the blunder of the match. Lirola attempted to clear the ball from danger but inadvertently kicked it past his own goalkeeper, resulting in the decisive third goal for PSG at the 76th minute. This unfortunate own goal sealed the match for Paris, effectively extinguishing any hopes Marseille had of mounting a comeback.
"It was one of those moments you wish you could rewind. It’s disappointing to concede like this, especially at such a pivotal moment," expressed Lirola following the match.
PSG's victory showcased both their tactical acumen and finishing prowess. The win extended their undefeated streak against Marseille, recording their seventh consecutive victory against them, including their historically notable spell between February 2013 and February 2016.
After the match, PSG coach Luis Enrique expressed pride over his team's resilience, saying, "This was not just about winning. It’s about maintaining our focus and continuing our momentum as we head toward the business end of the season. We have to control the game, and I think we did well today, allowing us to keep our supporters happy."
On the flip side, OM’s coach faced scrutiny after the defeat. Valentin Rongier, the Marseille midfielder, lamented the heavy scoreline: "Looking back, we controlled significant pieces of the match. We created meaningful chances but fell short when it mattered most. We need to rethink our strategy against teams like PSG, as we’ve had our possibilities. We must stay composed and not allow simple mistakes to define games like this."
PSG now leads the league table with a remarkable 19-point margin over Marseille, and should their current form hold, they are poised to clinch the Ligue 1 title very soon. Dembélé's tally has now reached 22 goals since the beginning of the calendar year, making him the standout performer this season, matching Messi’s illustrious record from 2016.
"It’s great to be scoring, but I focus on bringing the team success above personal accolades. The team effort is what brings us wins and titles," Dembélé insisted after the game.
The constant back-and-forth created by both teams made this classic clash engaging for fans, filled with emotional highs and lows. The match now serves as yet another chapter within the narrative of one of football's fiercest rivalries.
Moving forward, both teams will be keeping their eyes on their respective goals: PSG striving to solidify their place at the top and Marseilles hoping to recover and push for their own ambitions within the league.