Marseille edge Auxerre to keep pace in podium race

Olympique de Marseille needed patience to break down a stubborn AJ Auxerre defence as they registered back-to-back wins in Ligue 1 McDonald's (1-0).

Marseille continue winning run

Whilst the fans showed their unhappiness at the ongoing situation at the club, OM headed into this game on the back of a two-game winning run, with one of those wins coming against local rivals Olympique Lyonnais.

Last week, they only edged Toulouse (1-0), and returning to the Vélodrome, it was another tight affair for Habib Beye's men. Auxerre, who currently occupy the relegation play-off place in Ligue 1 McDonald's struggled to test Geronimo Rulli, who ultimately kept consecutive clean sheets for only the second time since joining the club.

However, Christophe Pélissier's side were effective in stifling OM's attack in what was a first-half short on any clear chances for either side. The Marseille fans burst into life at the start of the second team and so did their players, as Mason Greenwood tested Donovan Leon for the first time. The Englishman's powerful strike came of the Auxerre goalkeeper's forearm and deflected wide (48').

🇩🇿 Subbed on in 62’
🇩🇿 Game-winning goal today
🇩🇿 8 goals in 14 matches in 2026

What a player. Amine Gouiri. ⭐ pic.twitter.com/BZLNpTDDXc
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 13, 2026

It was Greenwood who went close again from a set-piece, with the OM forward's shot deflecting off the back of Bryan Okoh and just over (70'). But the breakthrough would eventually come for Marseille and it would come via a substitute.

Amine Gouiri replaced CJ Egan-Riley midway through the second half and the Algeria international was on hand to turn in a fortunately deflected cross (78'). Les Phocéens had a lead to protect, Auxerre an equaliser to find, and that naturally shaped the final 10 minutes.

OM resorted to hitting on the counter and almost benefited from a clanger from Leon, but this time, Gouiri could not finish, his shot blocked by the recovering Sinaly Diomandé (85').

Marseille survive late scare

Seconds later, Okoh silenced the crowd at the Vélodrome. He diverted home a shot from Romain Faivre, whose effort was palmed to the back post by Rulli. However, Okoh had handled in order to divert the ball home, and so the goal was disallowed (87').

Neither side would threaten the goal in extra-time, and so OM held on to secure a win that consolidates their place on the podium in Ligue 1 McDonald's. It is the first time that they have registered three consecutive wins in the league since November.

"They defended with five at the back. It was hard. There wasn't a lot of space," Gouiri told Ligue 1 Plus post-match. "We pushed in the second-half and we got there in the end."

Auxerre, meanwhile, remain in the relegation play-off spot. With Nantes not playing this weekend, they are guaranteed to end the gameweek in 16th place.

>> Vahid Halilhodzic replaces Ahmed Kantari as Nantes manager

>> UCL: PSG score five as Luis Enrique's men seize control against Chelsea