Paris defeat arch-rivals Marseille!

Not even the ups and downs of a long season can overshadow the electric atmosphere of a Classique! On this spring evening, the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille was a moment out of time, a date to mark for all fans of the capital club. Especially as the situation in the standings - a match between the league leaders and their nearest chasers - underlined the attraction of this top-of-the-table clash!

Two sides in fine form thanks to some strong collective performances; individual strengths in all areas of the field; and animosity in the air all came together as ingredients for a great Classique. From the start, the two teams engaged in an intense battle in midfield. But it was our Rouge et Bleu who drew first blood! Thanks to the razor-sharp eye of Marco Verratti, Neymar Jr managed to tackle the ball into an empty goal - with the tip of his boot - to give Paris the advantage! (1-0, 12').

Marseille duly increased the pressure to try to regain control of the ball, and it was from a scramble after a corner that Caleta-Car managed to equalise for the visitors (1-1, 31'). Our Parisians then worked hard to regain control of the game and the opportunities started to rain down on OM 'keeper Pau Lopez! Neymar Jr, Danilo (35') and Mbappé (38') almost beat the keeper before two goals for Leo Messi were flagged off-side (40', 45')... But a second goal was definitely on the cards; all that was missing was the luck to make it happen.

And it was Kylian Mbappé who took charge of bringing the Parc des Princes to its feet! The world champion was ice-cold from the spot and put our Rouge et Bleu ahead at the best possible moment, just before the break (2-1, 45'+4).

There was no question of relaxing in defence, especially against an arch-rival, and the second half saw the Parisians' motivation matched only by electricity in the air, which crackled every time there was contact. At that stage it was a question of staying ultra-focused to stay out of trouble with the referee, and the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé led by example only to have his effort ruled out for off-side (75'), before Saliba saw his would-be leveller similarly denied ten minutes later (85').

With this scoreline, Mauricio Pochettino's men defeated Jorge Sampaoli's team to win the 102nd Classique. The victory was very important for the Parisians - to underline their status as league leaders and to establish a 15-point lead over their nearest rivals. A big step forward in the quest for an historic tenth title...