Olympique de Marseille’s ambitions of securing European soccer next season took a knock on Friday after the south coast club were held to a 1-1 draw at Nantes.
The stalemate left Jose Anigo’s side in sixth place, two points adrift of Europa League-bound Lyon, who travel to the Stade Velodrome next weekend.
Midfielder Florian Thauvin, who arrived at Marseille on a 15 million euro move from LOSC Lille Metropole at the start of this season, put the sleeping French giants into the lead after half an hour with a shot from 20m.
Photo: AFP
Senegal international Issa Cissokho levelled the score for Nantes with 25 minutes left for his fourth goal in their past three games.
Marseille are set to come under new management next season, with Anigo making way for former Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa.
On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain can be crowned champions without kicking a ball.
Photo: AFP
Laurent Blanc’s defending titleholders, 10 points clear at the top, will win the championship if second-placed Monaco lose to relegated Ajaccio.
Paris Saint-Germain have a second chance of wrapping up their second successive title in the lunchtime kick-off at Sochaux today.
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
DOMINATION: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took the first two spots as Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed them Australian Oscar Piastri yesterday roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday’s sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. “Mega job guys. The car was very, very lovely,” Piastri said
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