In a dramatic Ligue 1 showdown, Brest defied the odds to edge out Marseille 1-0, propelling them into second place and extending the visitors’ winless run to six games. Pierre Lees-Melou emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring a last-gasp winner to send the Stade Francis Le Blé into raptures.
Brest, the league’s surprise package this season, were hungry to bounce back from a string of draws. Facing a Marseille side also vying for a top-four spot, they dominated the first half, creating numerous chances but lacking the final touch. Steve Mounié was a constant thorn in the Olympians’ side, causing havoc with his powerful presence. He even set up Kamory Doumbia with a golden opportunity, but the midfielder could only fire straight at Rubén Blanco.
Mounié continued to be a menace, narrowly missing with a towering header before seeing his red card dreams come true with a rash off-the-ball challenge on the hour mark. This setback could have deflated Brest, but they dug deep and continued to press. Their persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Lees-Melou embarked on a mazy run, firing home from a tight angle to send the stadium into pandemonium.
Brest held on resolutely in stoppage time to secure a hard-fought victory that cements their place as genuine contenders. Meanwhile, Marseille’s rollercoaster season under Gennaro Gattuso continues, with the club languishing in ninth and their winless streak showing no signs of abating.
Man of the Match: Pierre Lees-Melou (Brest)
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