Ligue 1 Roundup, Matchday 3
This is an overview of the matches that occurred during Matchday 3 of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season over the weekend, highlighting exciting games, unexpected outcomes, and remarkable player performances.
Lyon 4-3 Strasbourg
Lyon got their first points of the Ligue 1 season in an impressive fashion, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to defeat Strasbourg 4-3, marking Liam Rosenior’s first loss as a manager in France. Rather than settling for a draw, Lyon continued to press forward, and when Malick Fofana found space on the left wing, he skillfully delivered a cross to Orban, who struck the ball into the bottom corner, giving the home team their first lead of the match. Strasbourg was unable to equalize and now has only one win in their last 10 away games, while Lyon has secured eight victories in their last 12 competitive matches.
Brest 4-0 St Etienne
Brest revitalized their season with a convincing 4-0 win against Saint-Étienne at the Stade Francis-Le Blé, marking their fourth consecutive home victory against the Greens in competitive matches. The Pirates managed the game with ease, finally finding their rhythm after a disappointing start to their Ligue 1 season. On the other hand, Saint-Étienne will have to wait until after the international break to secure their first points of the season following their promotion from the second division.
Montpellier 1-3 Nantes
Nantes continued their unbeaten run in the new Ligue 1 season with a 3-1 victory over Montpellier, placing them at third place in the standings. Montpellier fell short in their efforts to secure their first win of the season, having only won one of their last six encounters against Nantes. Nantes had a strong away performance last season, winning six matches, which helped them avoid relegation, and they have now earned four points from their first two away games this season.
Toulouse 1-3 Marseille
Mason Greenwood continued his impressive start at Marseille, scoring two goals in the first half to help secure a 3-1 win against ten-man Toulouse. Marseille had a smooth game, remaining unbeaten under De Zerbi and extending their unbeaten streak against Toulouse in Ligue 1 to 21 matches, a run that dates back to March 2012. Toulouse did manage to score once when Shavy Babicka capitalized on a long ball and tapped it into an empty net. However, they are now without a win in their first three league games for the first time in 11 years.
Monaco 1-1 RC Lens
Przemysław Frankowski converted a late penalty to secure a point for RC Lens in a thrilling 1-1 draw, which marked the end of both their and AS Monaco’s perfect starts to the Ligue 1 season. The visitors remained persistent, and a VAR decision favored them, resulting in a stoppage-time penalty. Frankowski maintained his composure to score and earn a point for his team. The draw leaves both teams with seven points after winning their first two matches of the Ligue 1 season, but they will need to improve their consistency in attack to compete with PSG for the title.
Reims 2-1 Rennes
Reims achieved their first victory with Luka Elsner as coach, overcoming Rennes 2-1 after trailing in the match. This defeat marked Rennes’ third straight loss at the Stade Auguste-Delaune. Julien Stéphan’s disappointing track record against Reims now stands at just one win in ten matches, while Reims has secured a Ligue 1 win in their first 3 games for only the second time in the past five seasons.
Le Havre 3-1 Auxerre
Le Havre secured only their fourth victory ever against Auxerre in Ligue 1, coming from behind to win 3-1 despite Auxerre playing with ten men. This victory marked Le Havre’s second win in three league matches this season. Even with a player down, Auxerre posed a threat on counterattacks and had a prime opportunity to equalize when Lassine Sinayoko broke free, but his shot was blocked by Arthur Desmas. This missed chance proved costly for Auxerre, who faced further disappointment in stoppage time when Abdoulaye Touré scored a third goal from the penalty spot, preventing them from winning two of their first three Ligue 1 matches for the first time since the 2005/06 season.
Angers 1-4 OGC Nice
OGC Nice secured their first victory of the season with a convincing 4-1 win against Angers at the Stade Raymond Kopa. This result means that Angers have lost all three of their opening matches since returning to the top division, managing to score only once. Angers’ return to Ligue 1 has been disastrous, as they were unable to take advantage of Nice’s red card and suffered their third straight loss, placing them at the bottom of the league standings.
Lille 1-3 PSG
Paris Saint-Germain continued their perfect start to the new season by defeating Lille 3-1 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, extending their impressive unbeaten away streak in Ligue 1 to 26 matches. PSG tightened their defense and sealed the victory when Randal Kolo Muani scored their third goal in stoppage time. Désiré Doué’s effort to regain possession paid off as his cross was headed in by Kolo Muani, marking their sixth time in the last ten seasons that they have won their first three league matches.
