On Wednesday night, Marseille secured their first victory in the UEFA Champions League this season as they beat Monaco 2-1. The win means that Marseille now have a 5-point advantage over Monaco at the top of Group A and will be guaranteed qualification to the next round of the competition.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances throughout the game. However, it was Marseille who ultimately emerged victorious thanks to goals from Dimitri Payet and Anthony Martial.
Payet scored his first goal for Marseille since he joined the club on loan from Chelsea last summer, while Martial added a second-half header to put the hosts ahead. Monaco were unable to find a way back into the game and conceded another late goal from Florian Thauvin.
Marseille coach Lucien Favre praised his team's performance after the game, saying: "It's been a tough season so far but we're happy with our result tonight. We played well and created many chances, which is important for us."
Meanwhile, Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim was left disappointed by the defeat, saying: "We had a good start and created some chances, but we couldn't score. We need to work on our defensive play if we want to make progress in Europe."
Despite the loss, Monaco still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition, with two games remaining in Group A. They will face Villarreal in their final match before the international break, while Marseille will face Schalke in their next fixture.
In conclusion, Marseille's win against Monaco has given them a significant boost in their quest to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Champions League. The victory also ensures that Marseille will be guaranteed a place in the competition, leaving Monaco to fight for survival in Group A. It remains to be seen how the rest of the group will play out, but one thing is certain - Marseille will not be taking any points lightly going forward.