An early goal from Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd gave Marseille a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Velodrome on Monday, September 23. The result marked Marseille’s first home league triumph over their fierce rivals since 2011.
Signed just before the transfer deadline from West Ham United, Aguerd delivered in style by scoring his second goal in as many Ligue 1 appearances.
With only five minutes played, Mason Greenwood’s deflected cross drew PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier out of position. Aguerd capitalized, heading into the unguarded net to seal what proved to be the game’s only goal.
The match had originally been scheduled for Sunday but was postponed due to storms in southern France. Local authorities deemed heavy rainfall a risk for players and spectators, forcing a 24-hour delay.
The rescheduling was awkward for PSG, clashing with the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, where several of their stars, including eventual winner Ousmane Dembélé, were nominated.
Dembélé, ruled out of the game through injury, joined fellow absentees Désiré Doué and João Neves on the sidelines. PSG coach Luis Enrique reshuffled his side, moving Achraf Hakimi into an advanced position, but even with a strong lineup, the champions could not break down Marseille’s determined defense.
Marseille, meanwhile, grew in confidence after Aguerd’s opener. Amine Gouiri rattled the crossbar, and the hosts saw another goal disallowed for offside in the first half. After the break, goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli made vital saves to keep PSG at bay, ensuring Aguerd’s strike remained decisive.
The closing stages brought tension, with Marseille’s fiery coach Roberto De Zerbi shown a late red card. However, his side’s resilience ensured PSG suffered their first Ligue 1 defeat of the season after four consecutive victories.
Speaking after the match, Enrique admitted his disappointment: “We are not used to losing games. I thought we played well and deserved more, but we must carry on as champions.”
De Zerbi, by contrast, praised his players for rising to the occasion. “I think we deserved to win against a team who are defining an era,” he said, comparing PSG to Sacchi’s AC Milan and Guardiola’s Barcelona.
The defeat drops PSG from top spot, with Monaco now leading the standings on goal difference. PSG, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Monaco all sit on 12 points, while Marseille climb to sixth, three points behind the leaders.
For Marseille, Aguerd’s early header will be remembered not only as the match-winner but also as a symbol of a long-awaited breakthrough against their greatest rivals.