Greenwood Shines as Marseille Dominates Nice 5-1 to Claim Ligue 1 Lead

Mason Greenwood’s impressive performance secured a 5-1 victory for Marseille against Nice, propelling the team to the top of Ligue 1 on March 15, 2024. Greenwood scored twice, bringing his total to eight goals in the last five league matches and elevating his season tally to 11. The match showcased Marseille’s dominance, with goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timothy Weah, and Igor Paixão contributing to a commanding win in the Riviera derby.

The scoring began in the 11th minute when Aubameyang netted his 400th career goal. Much of the credit for this opener went to Benjamin Pavard, whose header was deflected by Nice goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf over the bar. Pavard then connected with the subsequent corner, allowing Aubameyang to finish from close range. Marseille’s lead doubled 22 minutes later, as Greenwood’s shot took a crucial deflection, misleading Diouf.

The goal survived a VAR check after Nice players protested a potential foul in the buildup. This incident sparked tensions on the field, leading to a brief altercation between players and staff, as well as objects being thrown from the crowd. Following a delay, the match resumed with Marseille maintaining their momentum.

Greenwood scored his second goal eight minutes after halftime, striking a low shot from the edge of the penalty area into the far corner. This marked his 31st goal in Ligue 1 over two seasons, making him the league’s top scorer during this period. Following Greenwood’s second, Timothy Weah added to Marseille’s tally, further frustrating the home side.

Nice managed to pull one back through Mohammed-Ali Cho, who scored with a glancing header in the 63rd minute. However, Aubameyang continued to influence the game, assisting Igor Paixão for Marseille’s fifth goal 16 minutes before the final whistle. This victory elevated Marseille to 28 points, one ahead of reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are set to play Le Havre on March 16, 2024.

Despite the defeat, Nice remains in ninth place in Ligue 1. The match illustrated Marseille’s current form, with Greenwood emerging as a standout player in a season marked by his scoring prowess.

Information from The Associated Press, PA, and ESPN Research contributed to this report.