Mason Greenwood's Four-Goal Night Propels Marseille to Ligue 1 Lead

On October 18, 2025, 19:05 UTC, at the Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France, Olympique de Marseille smashed Le Havre Athletic Club 6–2 in a dazzling Ligue 1 encounter. The spotlight belonged to Mason Greenwood, the English forward wearing the number 10 shirt, who netted four times (35' pen, 67', 72', 76'). Managed by Marcelo Bielsa, Marseille vaulted to the top of the 2025‑26 table, overtaking Paris Saint-Germain. Meanwhile, Le Havre, coached by former legend Didier Drogba, clawed its way to 14th place, teetering just above the relegation zone.

Match Overview and Turning Points

The game started with a frantic opening spell. Le Havre’s French midfielder Yassine Kechta opened the scoring at the 24th minute, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. But five minutes later, the tide turned decisively. Le Havre goalkeeper Gautier Lloris was sent off after handling the ball in the box, prompting a penalty that Greenwood calmly slotted away. The red card forced Le Havre into a defensive scramble, and Marseille never looked back.

After the dismissal, Greenwood’s third‑minute penalty gave Marseille a 1–1 parity, but the Englishman was not done. He struck again at 67 minutes, weaving past two defenders before finishing low. Just five minutes later, he completed his hat‑trick, capitalising on a quick‑break pass from teammate Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg. The final blow came at 76 minutes when Greenwood intercepted a loose ball and fired home his fourth, cementing a personal milestone and a team triumph.

Late‑stage goals came from Brazilian forward Robinio Vaz (88') and Panama‑born defender Michael Murillo (90+3'), the latter sealing the six‑goal tally. Le Havre managed a consolation strike from Guinean midfielder Abdoulaye Touré in stoppage time, but it did little to soften the blow.

Mason Greenwood's Historic Four‑Goal Haul

Scoring four goals in a top‑flight European league is a rarity; Greenwood became only the third player in Ligue 1 history to achieve the feat in a single match for Marseille. The first goal, a penalty, showcased his composure under pressure – a quality that has become his trademark since joining the club in the summer transfer window.

His second and third strikes displayed a blend of pace and finishing instinct rarely seen in a debut season. The 67‑minute volley was a textbook example of timing, while the 72‑minute finish displayed his knack for finding space in crowded boxes. The fourth, a swift tap‑in after a defensive error, reflected his relentless pursuit of goals.

According to Sofascore attack‑momentum data, Greenwood accounted for 55 % of Marseille’s expected goals (xG) in the match, a staggering contribution that underlines his growing importance to Bielsa’s attacking philosophy.

Marseille's Rise to the Top of Ligue 1

Before the match, Marseille’s season had been a rollercoaster. Two defeats in the opening three fixtures left the club hovering near the bottom, but a four‑match winning streak – highlighted by a dramatic victory over PSG in Le Classique – propelled them back into contention.

Following the 6–2 win, Marseille’s record stands at 6‑0‑2 with 18 points, positioning them alone at the summit. The club’s home record at the Orange Velodrome is impeccable: four league wins without conceding a goal until the Le Havre match, where they still kept a clean sheet.

The points surge is more than a numbers game; it signals a cultural shift within the squad. Bielsa’s high‑pressing system, coupled with Greenwood’s clinical edge, has turned Marseille into a formidable offensive unit. Defensive stalwart Emerson Royal and midfield engine Mateusz Klich have also contributed by tightening the backline, allowing the attack to flourish.

Marseille now shares the lead‑watching spotlight with Strasbourg and Lyon, both sitting on 15 points. The trio presents a genuine challenge to PSG’s long‑standing dominance, suggesting that the 2025‑26 title race could be one of the most open in recent memory.

Le Havre's Struggles and Survival Fight

Le Havre’s season has been a tale of narrow escapes. After securing promotion in 2023, the club endured two consecutive 15th‑place finishes. This year, they sit in 14th with six points, just a single tally above the relegation playoff spot. The gap to 17th place is a razor‑thin one‑point margin, meaning every match carries survival weight.

Manager Didier Drogba described the upcoming weeks as “another fight to avoid the drop.” The defeat to Marseille underscores their defensive frailties, especially away from the Stade Océane, where they have lost all four Ligue 1 fixtures so far.

Despite the loss, Le Havre’s midfield duo of Yassine Kechta and Abdoulaye Touré showed flashes of creativity, and the team will look to regroup before hosting RC Lens on October 26. A win there could provide a much‑needed points cushion.

What Lies Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures and Stakes

Marseille’s next challenge drops them into the UEFA Champions League arena. On October 22, 2025, they face FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. A strong performance in Europe could boost squad confidence and further widen the domestic gap.

Le Havre, meanwhile, will host RC Lens at the Stade Océane. A positive result would not only lift morale but also provide a critical three‑point buffer ahead of the season’s final stretch.

Both clubs have a lot at stake: Marseille aims to solidify its claim to the Ligue 1 crown, while Le Havre fights to stay clear of the relegation abyss. The contrasting trajectories underline the razor‑thin margins that define French football each week.