France midfielder Adrien Rabiot scored his first goal for Marseille in a 2-0 victory over Saint-Etienne on Sunday, helping the southern club maintain its second-place position in Ligue 1.
Rabiot found the net in the 17th minute, finishing off a well-placed pass from striker Neal Maupay. Controlling the ball with one touch, Rabiot volleyed it home with his left foot.
Marseille extended their lead in the 65th minute when Mason Greenwood netted the second goal. After earning a penalty, Greenwood saw his initial attempt saved by goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur but converted the rebound, marking his 10th league goal since joining from Manchester United. He is now just one goal behind Jonathan David, the top scorer in Ligue 1.
The match was briefly halted late on due to flares set off by home fans, which created a smoky atmosphere at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. With this win, Marseille remains ahead of third-place Monaco on goal difference, with both teams having 29 points after 14 matches. Saint-Etienne currently sits 16th, in the promotion-relegation playoff spot.
This clash featured two of French soccer’s most historic clubs, each boasting 10 league titles. Marseille last claimed the title in 2010 under coach Didier Deschamps, while Saint-Etienne’s last championship came in 1981, when legendary midfielder Michel Platini was among their ranks.
In other Ligue 1 action on Sunday, Nantes secured a late 1-0 victory over 10-man Rennes, with Nigeria winger Moses Simon scoring in the 89th minute. Rennes had a potential equalizer disallowed after a VAR review ruled out a goal by defender Christopher Wooh for a handball in stoppage time. The match also saw Rennes coach Jorge Sampaoli sent off during stoppage time.
The win lifted Nantes to 13th place, level on points with Rennes in 12th.
Lens climbed to seventh place with a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Montpellier, while Strasbourg fell to 14th after a goalless draw with midtable Reims. Lens took the lead through Rémy Labeau Lascary in the 39th minute, and a stoppage-time own goal from defender Becir Omeragic sealed the victory.
On Saturday, Monaco defeated Toulouse 2-0, narrowing the gap to five points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who drew 0-0 with Auxerre on Friday.
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