PSG Dominates Marseille with Stellar Performance from Dembele

omidbasir- A remarkable own goal by Facundo Medina, alongside goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Lee Kang-in, culminated in a commanding victory for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) over Marseille, reinstating their two-point lead at the top of the league table. Ousmane Dembele, who delivered an exceptional performance, rightfully earned the Man of the Match accolade, with his second goal standing out as a highlight of the match.

Initially, it seemed there was little opportunity when the France international gathered the ball wide near the right touchline. However, he skillfully maneuvered towards the penalty area, evading two defenders before striking a stunning outside-of-the-foot shot into the net. Fans on social media quickly suggested Dembele as a potential nominee for the prestigious Puskas Award for this extraordinary goal, marking his ninth goal in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

Dembele had previously generated similar excitement with a remarkable chip against Lille in January, but it remains uncertain whether either of his recent goals will be nominated for the 2026 Puskas prize.

PSG, who clinched a treble last season, has not yet found their rhythm in the current 2025-26 campaign under manager Luis Enrique. They currently occupy a spot in the Champions League knockout stage playoffs, having failed to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase. Additionally, their early exit from the Coupe de France at the hands of local rivals Paris FC further complicates their season.

Nevertheless, Dembele expressed confidence that PSG is beginning to find its form at a crucial juncture. After his stellar display against Marseille, he asserted to reporters, “It’s a special match for all Parisians. We were determined to play a great game and send a message to everyone: we’re back, and in this second half of the season, we’re going to do everything to win everything.”

With Dembele maintaining this level of performance, PSG’s ambitions to retain their Ligue 1 and Champions League titles remain feasible. Post-match, Luis Enrique praised the 28-year-old’s significance to the team, stating, “He’s a different kind of player. That’s why he won the Ballon d’Or. The way he plays is something else. It’s a real pleasure to have a player of this caliber. I’m very happy for him and for the team. We have to keep going.”

The former Barcelona manager acknowledged the challenges posed by the match, remarking, “We expected a difficult match. In the first half, it was indeed challenging, but we overcame the opponent and played very well. I believe we clearly deserved this victory.”

In stark contrast to PSG’s performance, Marseille faced a night to forget, failing to replicate their prior 1-0 home victory over PSG in September. Roberto De Zerbi’s side was thoroughly outmatched at the Parc des Princes, with former Manchester United player Mason Greenwood struggling for effectiveness, failing to register a single shot on target during his 80 minutes on the field.

This defeat marked Marseille’s worst-ever loss in Le Classique, spanning over 110 encounters between the two clubs. Club captain Leonardo Balerdi did not shy away from acknowledging the team’s disappointing performance, stating, “We can’t accept this; we didn’t come here to do this. We were completely off our game in the first half, and it shows against a team like this.”