Marquinhos Scores Late Winner as PSG Edges Marseille in Le Classique

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos scored a decisive late header to secure a victory over Marseille at the Orange Vélodrome on September 20, 2026. The hard-fought Le Classique win pushes Luis Enrique’s side to sixth place in the Ligue 1 standings before the international break.

How Ferran Torres and Marquinhos Answered Marseille’s Challenge

The latest installment of French football’s fiercest rivalry lived up to its reputation for drama on September 20, 2026, during Matchday 5 of Ligue 1 McDonald’s. After a tightly contested first half where both sides probed for weaknesses without success, the match ignited after the interval. Luis Enrique introduced substitute Ferran Torres off the bench, and the Spaniard’s positioning was once again on point as he headed home Nuno Mendes’ cross to break the deadlock.

Marseille refused to back down in front of their home supporters inside the stadium. The excellent Amine Gouiri combined with Angel Gomes—who had replaced the injured Igor Paixão in the first half—for the English international to restore parity after dribbling past Willian Pacho. The equalizer sent the Vélodrome crowd into bedlam, threatening to derail the visitors’ evening.

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-MARSEILLE-PSG — Photo: Goal.com

That momentum lasted all of three minutes. Capitalizing on another perfect delivery from Nuno Mendes, the talismanic captain Marquinhos took two bites of the cherry to score the winner with a clinical header. Marseille’s difficult afternoon compounded further when Timothy Weah was given his marching orders for a second booking, reducing the hosts to 10 men and sealing their fate as Bruno Genesio’s introductions of fresh legs with Faris Moumbagna and Kelyann Bezahaf could not change the tide.

Marquinhos Reaches a Milestone and Reflects on Le Classique Intensity

For the visiting centre-back, the winning goal carried extra significance beyond securing three points in a hostile venue. The decisive header equalled Brazilian compatriot Lucas Moura’s tally of 46 goals for the capital club. Speaking via PSG TV after the final whistle, the veteran defender emphasized the uncompromising nature of France’s premier fixture.

View this post on Instagram about marquinhos scores late edges, Marquinhos Le Classique PSG Marseille

From Instagram — related to marquinhos scores late edges, Marquinhos Le Classique PSG Marseille

It's always a pleasure to win here. When you come here and win, it's so good, regardless of whether it was close or not. We've had easier games here, but we played well today.

Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain captain, via PSG TV

Marquinhos Scores Late Winner as PSG Edges Marseille in Le Classique — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Marquinhos acknowledged that despite Marseille sitting second from bottom before the game, the opposition mounted a stern test. “We also had to defend, and even though they were second from bottom before this game, they’re a good team that challenged us on the pitch. We managed to overcome our problems to win, and that feels so good. I’m really happy to have won here. As we often say, you don’t play Le Classique, you win it, be it here or at home, and we’re really happy to have won this game,he added. He also noted regarding his personal milestone:As for my goal, I think I’ve equalled Lucas Moura’s goal tally at the club, right? 46 goals is a great total! We know how difficult it is to score goals, but when you get the chance to help the team to win, it’s always good, especially here in Marseille.”

Diverging Trajectories for Bruno Genesio and Luis Enrique

The result leaves the two clubs heading in sharply opposite directions as domestic action pauses. While Luis Enrique’s steamroller builds momentum with a second consecutive away victory to climb into sixth place, Marseille remains rooted to the depths. Bruno Genesio’s team has now conceded a fifth straight loss in all competitions, compounding the disappointment of a recent Europa League humbling at the hands of Besiktas.

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (1-2) | Week 5 – Ligue 1 McDonald's 26/27

Les Phocéens hosted arch-rivals PSG on the back of that worrying streak, and while they were not doing anything particularly wrong, their lack of ruthlessness was on show with Neal Maupay spurning the biggest chance of the first half before the hosts were forced into an early change with Igor Paixão out injured. With only three points out of a possible 15, Bruno Genesio’s side sits second-to-last in Ligue 1, with only Le Havre having fewer points.