Ethan Mbappé gives Lille win over Marseille

Ethan Mbappé's first-half goal was enough to give Lille victory over Marseille (1-0), as Bruno Genesio's side secured their place inside the top four in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

Mbappé strikes early

Marseille, who missed the chance to go top of Ligue 1 McDonald's last weekend, were looking to return to winning ways against a side who had won their last two in the league. LOSC have an excellent home record and stormed into an early lead in this encounter thanks to Mbappé.

The PSG academy product perfectly latched onto a long ball over the top and his first touch was enough to completely wrong-foot Geronimo Rulli in the Marseille goal. Mbappé then kept his calm to slot into the net (9') and put Genesio's side onto the front foot.

LOSC were solid at the back and conceded few chances, but their attacking sector was dealt a blow when Hamza Igamane was forced to cede his place to Olivier Giroud (25') due to injury.

A Mbappé trademark. ™ pic.twitter.com/4BnF52m5Zg
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 5, 2025

OM struggled to create chances and their best chance of the first half came to Emerson, who saw a shot blocked on the stroke of half-time (45'). Roberto De Zerbi's side didn't hit their usual heights, even if the entrances of Robinio Vaz and Darryl Bakola provided some momentum midway through the second half (66').

But Berke Ozer was all too rarely tested in the Lille goal, apart from in the 76th minute, when the Turk was forced into action from a sliding effort from Mason Greenwood. When called upon, he stood up to be counted and ensured that LOSC would take all three points.

"We played badly" - Marseille manager De Zerbi

De Zerbi's analysis of the defeat, which will allow PSG, as well as Ligue 1 McDonald's leaders Lens to make a break at the top, was simple: "We played badly. The defeat is deserved, that is all," said the Italian.

Lille, however, registered their fourth win in five in Ligue 1 McDonald's, and regardless of results elsewhere, they are guaranteed their spot in the top four, synonymous with qualification for the top four.

It was also another good night for Mbappé on an individual level. The midfielder netted his third of the season, having failed to get on the scoresheet in any of his two previous campaigns in Ligue 1 McDonald's (10 appearances with LOSC last season, three with PSG in the season prior).

The Stat: 18

The Mbappé family have a strong record against Olympique de Marseille. Combined, Kylian Mbappé and his brother Ethan have played OM on 18 occasions. In that time, the brothers have never lost, and they have an excellent record of 16 wins and two draws. Speaking of individual records, Geneio's record against De Zerbi isn't bad either. The Frenchman has yet to lose against the Italian (one win and three draws in three encounters).

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