Nantes thrash Marseille 3-0 to hand Halilhodzic first win and deepen OM crisis

Key facts

• Nantes beat Marseille 3-0 at home, their first win under Vahid Halilhodzic.
• Marseille have won only one of their last six Ligue 1 matches.
• Matthis Abline scored one goal and provided two assists for Nantes.
• Ignatius Ganago and Rémy Cabella also scored for Nantes.
• Marseille are sixth in Ligue 1, four points behind Lille in fourth.
• Nantes moved to within two points of the relegation play-off place.
• Marseille's Jeffrey de Lange made his first start since a 5-0 loss to PSG.
• Benjamin Pavard and Timothy Weah were suspended for Marseille.

A subdued atmosphere masks a devastating second-half surge

Nantes delivered a stunning second-half performance to thrash Olympique de Marseille 3-0 at the Stade de la Beaujoire, handing Vahid Halilhodzic his first victory since returning for a second spell as coach. The win was all the more remarkable given that the opening half-hour passed without a single shot on target, as a silent protest by parts of the home support and an empty away section created an eerie backdrop. Despite the subdued mood, Nantes dominated the first half. Deiver Machado posed a constant threat down the left flank before being forced off injured, and the hosts finally tested Marseille goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange in the 33rd minute when Rémy Cabella fired straight at him. De Lange was called into action again moments later, producing a fine save to deny Mohamed Kaba as the half ended goalless.

Eight minutes of mayhem seal a comprehensive victory

Nantes had scored a league-low 10 second-half goals all season, but they exploded with three in eight minutes just before the hour mark. Ignatius Ganago opened the scoring, sweeping home from Matthis Abline's cutback. Abline then turned provider again, picking out Cabella, who scored against his former club for the second time this campaign. The coup de grâce came from Abline himself, who cut in from the right, dribbled between Facundo Medina and Leonardo Balerdi, and rifled home just his sixth Ligue 1 goal of the season. The three goals in quick succession left Marseille shell-shocked and unable to mount any meaningful response.

Marseille's Champions League hopes hang by a thread

The defeat leaves Marseille with just one win in their last five league games, stuck in sixth place and four points adrift of Lille in fourth, which currently holds the final Champions League qualification spot. With only three matches remaining, the club's chances of securing a top-four finish and a return to Europe's elite competition appear slim. Marseille coach Habib Beye was forced into changes, with Benjamin Pavard and Timothy Weah suspended. Gerónimo Rulli did not travel, so Jeffrey de Lange started in goal for the first time since a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain. Beye switched to a back four, moving Leonardo Balerdi to right-sided centre-back and pushing Tochukwu Nnadi from midfield into right-back. Mason Greenwood returned to the starting lineup after being benched for last weekend's 1-1 draw with Nice.

Nantes climb away from the relegation zone

For Nantes, the victory was a vital step in their fight against relegation. They moved to within two points of the relegation play-off place, securing their first home win over Marseille since December 2018 and a first league double over their opponents since the 2018-19 season. Matthis Abline was named man of the match for his goal and two assists, a performance that highlighted the attacking potential Halilhodzic can harness. The win was only Nantes' third home league victory of the campaign, but it provided a much-needed boost in morale as they seek to pull clear of danger.

What lies ahead for both sides

Marseille's remaining fixtures offer little respite as they chase a top-four finish. With three games left, every result is critical, but the team's form—one win in six—suggests a difficult path. The absence of key players due to suspension and injury continues to hamper Beye's options. Nantes, meanwhile, will look to build on this result. Halilhodzic's side have shown they can compete, and with the relegation play-off place within reach, the momentum from this emphatic win could be crucial. The challenge now is to replicate this performance consistently in the final stretch of the season.

A turning point or a flash in the pan?

For Marseille, the defeat raises serious questions about their ability to compete for Champions League qualification. The team's defensive frailties were exposed ruthlessly, and the lack of a coherent response after falling behind is a worrying sign. Beye must find a way to restore confidence and tactical discipline quickly. Nantes, by contrast, have found a spark under Halilhodzic. The combination of Abline's creativity and the team's newfound ruthlessness in front of goal could be the formula that keeps them in Ligue 1. Whether this result marks a genuine turnaround or merely a fleeting moment of quality will be determined in the weeks ahead.

The bottom line

• Nantes' 3-0 win over Marseille was their first under Vahid Halilhodzic and their first home victory against Marseille since 2018.
• Matthis Abline was the standout performer, scoring once and assisting twice in an eight-minute second-half blitz.
• Marseille have won only one of their last six league matches and are now four points behind fourth-placed Lille with three games left.
• Marseille's Champions League hopes are in jeopardy, as they sit sixth and face an uphill battle to secure a top-four finish.
• Nantes moved to within two points of the relegation play-off place, boosting their survival chances.
• Marseille were without suspended duo Benjamin Pavard and Timothy Weah, and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli did not travel.