Ligue 1 Roundup: PSG Snatches Late Win At Auxerre While Marseille Ends Lens’ Streak With Nwaneri’s Debut Goal

A gripping weekend of Ligue 1 football delivered top-class performances, late drama, breakout stars, and major shifts across the standings.

‎From Paris Saint-Germain’s narrow escape at Auxerre to Marseille’s resurgence and Endrick’s show-stopping hat trick at Lyon, the round produced storylines that could define the coming weeks of the season.

Here is the full breakdown of all the key matches.

‎PSG Leave It Late Against Auxerre

‎Paris Saint-Germain returned to the summit of Ligue 1 thanks to a late moment of composure from Bradley Barcola, whose elegant chipped finish finally broke Auxerre’s resistance in a tense 1–0 victory.

‎PSG dominated from the opening whistle and created enough chances in the first ten minutes alone to settle the match early.

‎Barcola, Gonçalo Ramos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all had opportunities smothered, while goalkeeper Donovan Léon delivered one of the best performances of the season to keep Auxerre alive.

‎He produced reaction saves from close-range headers, sprawled blocks in crowded scrambles, and numerous stops that denied Barcola and Kvaratskhelia throughout the night.

‎Auxerre appeared on course to frustrate the champions for the second consecutive season, but PSG finally struck when Ousmane Dembélé launched a swift counterattack late in the match.

‎Barcola, who had been the most dangerous player on the pitch all evening, raced through and clipped a calm finish over Léon to snatch all three points. The win pushed PSG back above Lens, who were set to play the next day.

‎Marseille Sink Lens With Nwaneri’s impressive Debut

‎Less than 24 hours after arriving on loan from Arsenal, Ethan Nwaneri made an immediate impact by scoring a sublime goal that helped Marseille defeat Lens 3–1 and break their opponent’s 10-game winning streak across competitions.

‎Nwaneri, who became the youngest player in Premier League history at just 15 years old, needed only 13 minutes in Ligue 1 to showcase his promise.

‎Collecting the ball in midfield, he weaved past a defender, cut inside with ease, and curled a precise 20-meter finish into the bottom corner to double Marseille’s lead.

‎Amine Gouiri had already opened the scoring in the third minute with a clever exchange and composed chip over the goalkeeper.

‎Marseille’s dominance continued into the second half, and Gouiri later secured his brace after meeting a first-time cross from United States winger Tim Weah in the 75th minute.

‎Lens pulled one goal back through Rayan Fofana late on, but it did little to change the outcome. Marseille’s win halted Lens’ momentum and pulled the southern giants back into the title conversation ahead of their showdown with PSG on February 8.

‎Monaco Earns a Clean Sheet but Suffers More Injuries

‎Monaco stabilised defensively with a disciplined 0–0 draw against Le Havre, but the result came at a cost as their growing injury crisis deepened once again.

‎Struggling through a poor run that included seven defeats in eight league matches and a heavy Champions League loss to Real Madrid, Monaco desperately needed a solid performance.

‎They achieved it by keeping Le Havre out, yet newly-arrived defender Wout Faes limped off with an ankle injury inside half an hour. His replacement, Eric Dier, also picked up an injury and had to be substituted by Jordan Teze.

‎While Monaco can take some confidence from a more organised and controlled display, the squad’s fitness issues continue to create pressure on both management and the club’s direction, with ultras already calling for changes at the executive level.

‎Lorient Build Momentum With Derby Victory Over Rennes

‎Lorient continued their resurgence with a strong and composed 2–0 victory in the Brittany derby against Rennes, following up their previous win at Monaco to make it back-to-back triumphs.

‎Jean-Victor Makengo set the tone early with a sharp low finish in the opening minutes, giving Lorient a lead they never looked close to losing.

‎As Rennes pushed for an equaliser, Lorient remained compact, disciplined, and patient. Their reward arrived late in the game when Pablo Pagis added a second, sealing an impressive derby success that lifts the team’s morale and momentum heading deeper into the season.

‎Endrick Steals the Show as Lyon Hit Five at Metz

‎Lyon’s newest sensation, 19-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick, delivered a breathtaking performance with a hat trick in a 5–2 win against Metz, continuing the remarkable start to his loan spell from Real Madrid.

‎Endrick showed his full attacking repertoire, a deft flicked finish from a Corentin Tolisso cross, a smooth solo run capped with a calm strike after cutting in from the right, and a late penalty he won himself through quick footwork and converted with authority.

‎He might have scored even more if not for several sharp saves from Metz goalkeeper Jonathan Fischer.

‎With four goals and an assist in just three games, Endrick has already become one of the league’s most exciting attractions.

‎Lyon’s victory also included goals from Ruben Kluivert and Tyler Morton, keeping the club strongly positioned in fourth place.

‎Strasbourg Thriving Under Gary O’Neil

‎Strasbourg’s resurgence under new coach Gary O’Neil continued with an eye-catching 4–1 win away at Lille, giving him two victories from two league matches since taking the job.

‎Martial Godo led the way with a brace, while Joaquin Panichelli and Julio Enciso added further goals in a confident and energetic display.

‎Strasbourg has climbed to seventh place and now sits just two points behind Lille, turning the early signs of O’Neil’s tenure into a genuine surge of optimism.

‎Nice Cruise Past Nantes for First League Win Since October

‎Nice enjoyed a long-awaited return to winning ways with a convincing 4–1 win over Nantes, a match that highlighted the renewed discipline and clarity brought by Claude Puel since his return to the club.

‎Mohamed-Ali Cho scored twice, underlining his reputation as one of France’s brightest young attacking talents. Sofiane Diop and Tom Louchet also found the net, while Nantes’ only reply came through Mostafa Mohamed.

‎With Puel’s stricter approach helping to stabilise a squad previously deep in crisis, Nice finally ended a league drought that stretched back to late October.

‎Other Results Across the League

‎Toulouse collected a composed 2–0 win away at Brest thanks to goals from Yann Gboho and Pape Demba Diop, while Paris FC and Angers cancelled each other out in a 0–0 draw.

‎In club news, Lille midfielder Hákon Haraldsson committed his long-term future to the team by signing a new contract running until 2030.