Marseille conceded twice late on to draw 2-2 with Paris FC, letting a dominant display slip in stoppage time at Stade Jean-Bouin.
Marseille were left frustrated after throwing away a two-goal lead in a dramatic 2-2 draw with Paris FC on Saturday night. Roberto De Zerbi’s side looked in control for long periods. Late goals from Jonathan Ikoné and Ilhan Kebbal stunned the visitors. The result felt like a defeat given Marseille’s dominance.
The draw keeps Marseille third in Ligue 1 on 39 points. However, it extends a worrying pattern of late lapses. Paris FC, meanwhile, earned a valuable point in their fight for stability. The hosts showed belief until the final whistle.
Marseille asserted control from the opening minutes at Stade Jean-Bouin. Their high press forced Paris FC deep into their own half. Mason Greenwood was heavily involved, drifting between the lines. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg also dictated the tempo in midfield.
Early chances followed as Greenwood tested Kevin Trapp. Leonardo Balerdi later saw a header saved from close range. Paris FC struggled to escape pressure. The breakthrough felt inevitable.
The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute after VAR intervention. Alimami Gory was penalised for handball inside the box. Greenwood stepped up and converted calmly. It was his 13th Ligue 1 goal this season.
The penalty highlighted Greenwood’s growing importance in De Zerbi’s side as he remains the first-choice penalty taker. Marseille continued to dominate possession. Paris FC remained compact but offered little going forward. The visitors took a deserved lead into the break.
Marseille resumed with the same intensity after half-time. Their second goal came in the 54th minute following sharp combination play. Greenwood turned provider with a precise cross. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished from close range.
At 2-0, Marseille looked comfortable. Balerdi then struck the post with Trapp beaten. That moment proved costly in hindsight. Paris FC survived and waited for an opening.
Momentum swings late on
The match shifted dramatically in the final ten minutes. Paris FC found space from a set piece. Jonathan Ikoné rose unmarked to head past Gerónimo Rulli in the 82nd minute. The goal lifted the home crowd.
Marseille’s composure faded quickly. Paris FC pushed forward with renewed urgency. The visitors struggled to clear their lines. Tension spread across the pitch.
Disaster struck deep into added time. Rulli mistimed a punch while challenging Marshall Munetsi. The referee immediately pointed to the spot. Ilhan Kebbal stepped up in the 90+4 minute.
Kebbal sent Rulli the wrong way to make it 2-2. The stadium erupted. Marseille players stood stunned. A win had slipped away in seconds.
By the numbers
Marseille registered more shots and a higher expected goal, 2.63, compared to Paris’ 1.53. Greenwood finished with a goal and an assist. Aubameyang converted his only effort on target. Paris FC scored with two of their final three shots.
The hosts showed resilience late on. Marseille again failed to close out a match. It has been a recurring issue this season. Discipline in the final minutes remains a concern.
Marseille now turn their focus to the Coupe de France. They host Rennes in the round of 16 on Tuesday. De Zerbi faces pressure to stabilize results quickly. Marseille return to league action with a difficult trip to the capital to play PSG on 8thFebruary. Paris FC play Lorient in the Coupe de France in midweek before traveling next weekend to face Auxerre in Ligue 1 aiming to build on this momentum.
For Marseille, the performance offered promise. The ending delivered another painful lesson. In Ligue 1, control means little without concentration.
