Ligue 1 Roundup: Dembélé Stars As PSG Defeats Lille As Lens Keeps Winning Run Alive

Ligue 1 delivered another weekend full of drama, heroics, and shifts at both ends of the table.

‎From Ousmane Dembélé’s dazzling performance for Paris Saint-Germain to Lens extending its winning streak, and Monaco continuing its slump.

‎French football fans were treated to action-packed encounters.

Dembélé Delivers again

‎Ousmane Dembélé put recent transfer speculation behind him and stole the show with a brilliant brace as Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Lille 3-0 at Parc des Princes on Friday.

‎French media had reported last week that the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner rejected a new contract offer, but PSG coach Luis Enrique dismissed the rumors as “fake news.” Dembélé, clearly focused, was at his mesmerizing best against a top-four rival.

‎His first goal came in the 12th minute, a thunderous strike from more than 20 meters that left Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer rooted. The second, 18 minutes into the second half, showcased Dembélé’s audacity and skill, weaving through four defenders, and he chipped the ball perfectly into the top corner.

‎Substitute Bradley Barcola, another player whose future has been linked with transfers, sealed the 3-0 victory in injury time, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.

‎The result eased nerves at the defending champions just days after being eliminated from the French Cup by city rivals Paris FC. PSG climbed back to the top of the Ligue 1 table, two points ahead of Lens, though the northern club had a game in hand.

‎Lille remained fourth, ten points adrift.

‎Lens Maintains Winning Momentum

‎Lens wasted little time in responding to PSG’s temporary ascent to first place. On Saturday, they extended their winning streak across all competitions to ten games with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Auxerre at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

‎The decisive moment came from France youth international Wesley Saïd, who netted his eighth league goal of the season in the second half.

‎The result restored Lens’ slim one-point lead at the top of Ligue 1, intensifying the title race with PSG.

‎Monaco’s Struggles Continue

‎Monaco’s poor run continued as the club suffered its seventh defeat in eight games, losing 3-1 at home to Lorient.

‎Despite Ansu Fati’s equalizer midway through the second half, Lorient quickly regained control. Goals from Jean-Victor Makengo and Dermane Karim sealed all three points for the visitors, who extended their unbeaten run to nine matches across competitions.

‎The defeat left Monaco further adrift in the league, just a point ahead of Lorient in ninth, highlighting their continued struggles under pressure.

‎Friday night results have been particularly unkind for the Monegasques, with their record now at two wins, five draws, and nine losses in these fixtures.

‎Strasbourg Enjoys a Perfect Debut Under Gary O’Neil

‎Newly appointed Strasbourg coach Gary O’Neil marked his Ligue 1 debut with a morale-boosting 2-1 win over local rivals Metz on Sunday.

‎O’Neil, who began his tenure with a French Cup triumph over a fourth-tier side, guided Strasbourg to its first league victory in six matches, lifting the team to seventh in the standings.

‎Diego Moreira initially put Metz ahead in the 12th minute, but Strasbourg responded quickly. Gauthier Hein equalized from the penalty spot, and forward Martial Godo’s header just before halftime secured the win.

‎The victory also came amid fan protests against the club’s multi-club ownership model, which saw Chelsea’s BlueCo take over Strasbourg in 2023.

‎Banners criticizing President Marc Keller were visible during the match, underlining the tension surrounding the ownership setup.

‎Paris FC Snaps Winless Run

‎Paris FC, which famously eliminated PSG from the French Cup, ended its six-game league winless streak with a 2-1 triumph over Nantes.

‎Ilan Kebbal opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute, before Matthis Abline equalized for Nantes in the 50th minute. The winner came in the 78th minute from Luca Koleosho, ensuring Paris FC climbed to 13th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

‎Other Notable Results

Marseille 5-2 Angers: The third-place side delivered an emphatic win ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool.

‎Rennes 1-1 Le Havre: A hard-fought draw kept both sides in mid-table contention.