The highlight of Matchday 5 in the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season saw the first Le Classique of the campaign take place. Marseille, playing at home, secured a narrow 1–0 victory over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a header from centre-back Nayef Aguerd just five minutes into the match.
The result not only ended PSG’s run of five consecutive competitive wins but also handed them their first defeat of the season.
In the standings, PSG remain second with 12 points from five matches, level with Monaco, who sit top on goal difference. Marseille’s crucial win lifted them to sixth place with 9 points.
Weather Disruption Forces Rescheduling, PSG Miss Out on Ballon d’Or Ceremony
Originally scheduled for Sunday, the match was postponed due to severe weather in southern France and was eventually played on the same day as the Ballon d’Or ceremony. Reports suggest PSG requested a later date, but Marseille refused.
This decision denied PSG’s players the chance to attend the awards, while head coach Luis Enrique also missed the opportunity to collect his “Best Coach” trophy personally.
As the rescheduled clash coincided with the Ballon d’Or gala, PSG’s star man Ousmane Dembélé, who won the award, was absent from the match. The rest of the squad also looked somewhat distracted.
Aguerd Strikes Again
Just five minutes after kickoff, Marseille earned a set-piece opportunity in PSG’s half. Aguerd rose above the defenders and powered a header into the net, giving the hosts a dream start at 1–0. The Moroccan defender has been in fine form, scoring in back-to-back Ligue 1 matches.
By contrast, PSG struggled badly throughout the first half. They managed only two touches inside Marseille’s penalty area before the break, their lowest first-half tally since May 2016, highlighting their lack of attacking threat.
Marseille Hold Firm to End PSG’s Streak
Both sides created chances in the second half but failed to capitalise on them. In the 90th minute, Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi was shown a red card for dissent toward the referee.
Deep into stoppage time, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg slipped a pass through to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose low shot was saved by PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. Marseille ultimately held on for a 1–0 victory, marking their third league win of the season.
Dembélé Speaks Out While Receiving Ballon d’Or
Although Dembélé was at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet to accept his Ballon d’Or, he still kept his teammates in mind. In his acceptance speech, he said: “Tonight we celebrate the honours at the ceremony, but it’s not a perfect evening because our team lost the match.”
With both Ballon d’Or glory and Ligue 1 disappointment falling on the same night, PSG experienced a bittersweet mix of triumph and setback. The evening underscored that while accolades are prestigious, success on the pitch remains the actual test for the Parisian giants.
