“Marseille defeats Metz and climbs to the podium of Ligue 1.”

Olympique de Marseille took a giant step towards European elite by securing a resounding 3-1 victory against Metz in an electrifying clash of the 29th round of Ligue 1. This triumph not only propelled the team led by Habib Beye into third place in the standings — a position that guarantees direct access to the Champions League — but also put direct pressure on Lille, who still have a game in hand this Sunday against Toulouse.

The match at the legendary Stade Vélodrome began at a frantic pace, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quickly making his mark by opening the scoring just 13 minutes in. Shortly after the break, it was the young prodigy Igor Paixão who doubled the lead in the 48th minute, giving the impression that Marseille was controlling the match with authority. However, Metz’s response was swift: just a minute later, Georgian Tsitasihvili reduced the deficit for the visitors, reigniting their hopes and creating a tense atmosphere until the final minutes. Calm was restored only with Hamed Traoré’s decisive goal in stoppage time, sealing the victory and sending the home fans into a frenzy of joy.

With this win, Marseille now has 52 points in the table, temporarily surpassing Lille, who will have the chance to respond on Sunday. This result heightens the ambition of the French club, which does not hide its desire to return to the Champions League, a competition where it has shone in the past.

In a brutal contrast, Monaco experienced a night to forget. The Principality team was humiliated on the pitch of Paris FC, suffering a heavy defeat of 4-1. The match began in the worst possible way for the Monegasques, with Ikoné opening the scoring just 4 minutes in. Immediately, Ciro Immobile took center stage, scoring two goals in quick succession (in the 8th and 21st minutes), putting Paris FC in a comfortable position. Monaco attempted to respond with a goal from Balogun in the 46th minute, but the young Koleosho, in the 71st minute, delivered the final blow that buried the team’s aspirations. Paul Pogba, who returned to the pitch after a long absence since December, came on in the 69th minute, but even his presence could not save Monaco from a humiliating defeat.

With 49 points, Monaco now finds itself threatened by direct rivals such as Lyon and Rennes in the fight for places that grant access to European competitions. The pressure is mounting for the Monegasques, who urgently need to respond to avoid compromising their season.

This weekend promises to be decisive for the battle at the top of Ligue 1, with Marseille showing strength and ambition, while Monaco and Lille fight to avoid losing ground in an increasingly intense race. The battle for direct access to the Champions League is heating up and promises strong emotions until the final whistle.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.