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Aguerd’s goal five minutes into the fixture proved to be crucial as the hosts held on to the lead and saw out the game to pick up all points on offer.
Marseille players celebrate their victory at the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain at Orange Velodrome in Marseille, France, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Marseille edged out holders PSG in the encounter between the sides at the Stade Velodrome on Tuesday to hand the Parisian giants their first defeat of the season.
Nayef Aguerd’s goal five minutes into the fixture proved to be crucial as the hosts held on to the lead and saw out the game to pick up all points on offer.
“I think we deserved to win against a team who are defining an era, a bit like Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan did, or Guardiola’s Barcelona,” said Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi.
“They play football differently and that gives added value to my players’ performance,” he added.
Moroccan defender Aguerd, who was signed just before the recent transfer deadline from West Ham United, scored his second goal in as many Ligue 1 appearances for his new club, with five minutes gone at the Velodrome.
PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier attempted to intercept a deflected Mason Greenwood cross but missed the ball, allowing Aguerd to head into the unguarded net and score the only goal of the game.
“We are not used to losing games,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, whose side was undefeated in Ligue 1 last season until the end of April.
“I thought we played well and deserved a bit more. It is always difficult to lose a game like this but we are a team of champions and we need to carry on and prepare as well as possible for the next match.”
The fixture, the biggest in French football, was scheduled for Sunday but was called off because local authorities feared forecasted heavy rainfall would pose a significant risk for both players and spectators.
With little space in a packed calendar and both clubs involved in the Champions League, the match was postponed by just a day.
This proved awkward for PSG as it meant a clash with the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris, where several of their squad were nominated for the men’s player of the year prize.
Among them was Ousmane Dembele, the top scorer for the Champions League winners last season, who was able to attend the ceremony after being ruled out of the Marseille clash due to injury.
Luis Enrique could have used Dembele in the game, as well as his fellow injury absentees Desire Doue and Joao Neves.
Achraf Hakimi was pushed forward from his usual right-back position to the wing, but it was still a strong Paris team.
Nevertheless, Marseille held onto the lead following the early goal to claim a first home league victory against PSG since November 2011.
Aguerd’s goal was the first time they had even found the net at home against PSG in Ligue 1 since 2017. Amine Gouiri hit the bar soon after, as Marseille sought to add to their advantage.
The home side also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, before goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli made a couple of key saves to deny the visitors after the break.
Marseille saw the game out, although not before fiery coach Roberto De Zerbi was shown a late red card on the touchline.
It is PSG’s first loss of the season, having won their first four matches in Ligue 1. They fall off the top of the table, behind Monaco on goals scored.
Both teams have 12 points, as do Lyon and Strasbourg, who complete the top four. Marseille are up to sixth, three points behind the leading quartet.
September 23, 2025, 09:08 is
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