Marseille Breaks Disappointing Losing Streak with Exciting Ligue 1 Victory Against Toulouse

Marseille managed to evade a fourth consecutive Ligue 1 defeat for the first time in a decade, securing a 3-2 victory over Toulouse and taking advantage of Monaco’s loss against Brest on Saturday to rise to second place in the standings.

Early on, Toulouse had to remain vigilant defensively, as Gabriel Suazo made a crucial intervention to challenge Neal Maupay, who had received a lovely pass from Adrien Rabiot.

Les Violets then had a fantastic opportunity to take the lead when Shavy Babicka was found in the right channel by Aaron Donnum, but Babicka’s cross sailed frustratingly high.

Marseille soon made their control of possession count in the 21st minute, with Rabiot playing a one-two with Quentin Merlin before delivering a dangerous cross that was put into his own net by Suazo at the back post, where Luis Henrique was waiting.

With momentum on their side, Marseille sought a penalty after Mason Greenwood went down, but the Englishman was instead cautioned for diving. Against the run of play, Toulouse levelled the score as a patient passing move led to Suazo redeeming himself with a cross that Frank Magri headed in rather scruffily.

Toulouse nearly snatched the lead moments later as the speedy Babicka engineered a two-on-one situation, but he opted to take the shot himself, overrunning the ball instead of attempting a pass.

Marseille had their chance to regain the lead when Merlin’s strike forced a save from Guillaume Restes, and Maupay narrowly missed the follow-up header. Babicka showcased his pace again but was thwarted by Rulli, with Geoffrey Kondogbia cleaning up for the hosts.

The second half kicked off at a comparatively slower tempo, yet Toulouse seemed the more threatening side.

However, Marseille struck with a moment of brilliance from Greenwood, who fired a stunning shot past Restes from the edge of the box after receiving a pass from the metronomic Ismael Bennacer, following a foul by Magri on Valentin Rongier.

The lead was swiftly increased when Rabiot unleashed a superb volley from inside the area. Although he later conceded a free-kick that allowed Toulouse to reduce the margin through Vincent Sierro’s stabbed effort, Marseille ultimately clinched the three points, although Luis Henrique should have sealed it at 4-2 late in the match.

Greenwood has now netted his last five goals at the Stade Velodrome, with Marseille set to face Monaco next Saturday, while Toulouse, currently in 11th place in Ligue 1, will take on Lille later that day.