Mason Greenwood late penalty proved decisive as Olympique de Marseille edged past AS Monaco 2-1 in a thrilling Ligue 1 clash on Sunday. The victory not only showcased Marseille’s resilience but also propelled them to second place in the league standings, overtaking their rivals on goal difference.
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𝑽𝑰𝑪𝑻𝑶𝑰𝑹𝑬 ✅
Auteurs d’une superbe deuxième période, nos 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀 s’imposent ici à l’@orangevelodrome, grâce à des buts de 𝗟𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 🇧🇷 et 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 ! 🤩💪
Bravo messieurs ! 👏 pic.twitter.com/T61Ni6VOcH
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) December 1, 2024
Greenwood Penalty Seals Marseille’s Comeback
The highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash at the Orange Vélodrome lived up to its billing. Monaco started strong, with Aleksandr Golovin breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute. The midfielder’s deflected strike left Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli helpless, giving the visitors a deserved lead heading into halftime.
However, Marseille came out firing in the second half. Brazilian winger Luis Henrique equalized in the 53rd minute with a well-placed header following a clever assist from Neal Maupay. The home side continued to press, and their persistence paid off in the dying moments of the game.
In the 89th minute, a cross from Amir Murillo struck the hand of Monaco’s Christian Mawissa inside the penalty area. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, and Mason Greenwood stepped up to the spot. The English forward calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and securing a dramatic victory for Marseille.
Marseille Leapfrog Monaco in Ligue 1
The win was crucial for Marseille, who now sit second in Ligue 1 with 26 points, level with Monaco but ahead on goal difference. Both teams remain seven points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi praised his team’s performance, calling it their “best match of the season at the Vélodrome.” He added, “Monaco is a great team, but we showed character and determination to come back and win.”
Greenwood’s Impact on Marseille’s Season
Mason Greenwood’s penalty marked his ninth league goal of the season, putting him level with Lille’s Jonathan David and just one goal behind PSG’s Bradley Barcola in the Ligue 1 scoring charts. Greenwood’s contributions have been vital for Marseille, as the team continues to challenge for a top spot in the league.
The victory also highlighted Marseille’s ability to perform under pressure. Despite trailing at halftime, the team’s tactical adjustments and attacking intent in the second half turned the game in their favor.
What’s Next for Marseille and Monaco?
Marseille will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to face AS Saint-Étienne in their next Ligue 1 fixture. Meanwhile, Monaco will aim to bounce back when they host Toulouse.
This result not only intensifies the race for second place but also sets the stage for an exciting second half of the Ligue 1 season. With Greenwood in fine form and Marseille showing their fighting spirit, the team looks poised to challenge for more success in the weeks ahead.
