Matchday 2 — August 22–24
The second weekend of the season had it all: champions grinding out tight margins, an OM attacking masterclass, a Brittany rout to shake the neighbours, and a wily veteran delivering heartbreak in stoppage time.
Capital Control — PSG 1–0 Angers
Paris didn’t dazzle; they dictated. Lucas Chevalier — fresh from his headline‑making move from Lille — brought instant authority between the posts. And when Fabián Ruiz slipped into space on 50 minutes to score, the reigning champions showed that sometimes, control is more dangerous than chaos.
Nice by Name, Nasty by Nature — Nice 3–1 Auxerre
From the whistle, Jérémie Boga set the pace with his slaloming runs. Auxerre’s Frank Sinayoko clawed back parity, but Carlos Omoruyi restored the lead before Terem Moffi put the result beyond doubt. This was Farioli’s side in full flow — slick, purposeful, relentless.
Lyon’s First Roar — Lyon 3–0 Metz
The crowd at Groupama saw a familiar script: Seko Fofana breaking lines, Corentin Tolisso knitting it all together, and Adam Karabec adding gloss late on. For OL, it was the type of performance that plants seeds for a title chase rather than a rebuild.
Vélodrome in Overdrive — Marseille 5–2 Paris FC
This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang turned on vintage mode with two well‑taken goals, Mason Greenwood opened the festivities from the spot, Højbjerg thundered one in, and young Vaz got his moment. Paris FC’s flashes from Kebbal and Simon were drowned out by a five‑goal roar.
Northern Edge — Le Havre 1–2 Lens
Lens struck early through Wesley Saïd’s penalty, doubled it via Fofana, and weathered a spirited reply from Doucouré. Efficient, if not spectacular — the kind of away win that good seasons are built on.
Veteran’s Kiss — Lille 1–0 Monaco
It looked destined for a draw until Olivier Giroud, in the 91st minute, summoned the striker’s craft that has defined his career. One chance. One goal. Three points.
Derby Destruction — Lorient 4–0 Rennes
The Brittany derby was supposed to be tense. Instead, Soumano’s opener on the stroke of half‑time cracked it wide open. After the break, Aiyegun, Pagis, and Le Bris piled on, turning local pride into a rout.
Racing Steals It Late — Strasbourg 1–0 Nantes
Emanuel Emegha found the net late to seal a game Strasbourg had largely controlled — a tidy three points at La Meinau.
Magri’s Moment — Toulouse 2–0 Brest
A poacher’s brace from Frank Magri was all it took. Two smart runs, two clean finishes, and Brest never found a way back.
Team of the Week (4‑3‑3)
| Position | Player | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lucas Chevalier | PSG | Commanding debut for his new club in a hard‑fought clean sheet. |
| RB | Achraf Hakimi | PSG | Balanced defensive discipline with forward thrust. |
| CB | Alexsandro | Lille | Read Monaco’s threat and snuffed it out. |
| CB | Logan Costa | Toulouse | Dominant in the air, calm in build‑up. |
| LB | Nicolás Tagliafico | Lyon | Quietly locked down his side. |
| CM | Fabián Ruiz | PSG | Controlled the midfield and scored the winner. |
| CM | Corentin Tolisso | Lyon | Pulled the strings, chipped in with a goal. |
| CM | Pierre‑Emile Højbjerg | Marseille | Endless engine plus a thunderous strike. |
| LW | Jérémie Boga | Nice | Creative spark throughout. |
| ST | Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang | Marseille | Two goals, endless menace. |
| RW | Frank Magri | Toulouse | Match‑winning movement and finishing. |
Player of the Week
Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) — Turned a high‑scoring win into a celebration of ruthless finishing.
Club of the Week
Lorient — Four goals, four scorers, total derby dominance. Momentum builders like this can define a campaign.
