If you have been following the first two matchdays, you will undoubtedly be aware that Ligue 1 is one of the most entertaining leagues (if not THE most entertaining league) so far this season. And this latest weekend of fixtures has only served to reinforce that trend. Find out why in this summary of the main highlights from this lively third day of French elite football.
Joao Neves stole the show in Toulouse
Joao Neves ended his first Ligue 1 season with PSG with three goals to his name. Three league games later, that total has already been doubled. The reason? A hat-trick scored by the Portuguese player on Saturday on the pitch in Toulouse. But be warned, this wasn’t just any hat-trick — it was one of the most beautiful in the history of the French league.
If not the most beautiful.
After all, how could it be otherwise when a brace of acrobatic overhead kicks and a 25-metre strike sealed an impressive Parisian victory (3-6) in Occitan territory? A performance for the history books.
Lille carried by its new signings
If there is one constant about Lille this early in the season, it’s that their matches are never boring.
Held to a draw by Brest in a six-goal thriller on the opening day, Les Dogues got the better of AS Monaco in an electric match at the end of the second. Their third outing was more like a fireworks display.
In Lorient, having beaten Rennes 4-0 last week, Bruno Genesio’s men wanted to send a message. And Les Merlus paid the price. Yet, after a goalless first half, there was no indication of the spectacle that awaited spectators in the stands at Le Moustoir in the second half.
But everything changed after the break, with Lille scoring no fewer than seven goals to crush the Britons. So much so that even Aiyegun Tosin’s goal to reduce the deficit was forgotten. A thrashing in which LOSC‘s summer signings played no small part, contributing to six of their team’s seven goals.
Lyon honour their legend by beating Marseille
The Olympico was not the most prolific match of the weekend, nor perhaps even the most hotly contested. But everything surrounding it made it all the more memorable.
Firstly, because it has for many years now pitted two of the biggest rivals in French football, OL and OM, against each other. Secondly, because this clash on the third matchday allowed the Lyon club to pay a vibrant tribute to Bernard Lacombe, an iconic figure at the club who passed away this summer. Finally, because the outcome of this match (a 1-0 victory against Marseille, who were quickly reduced to 10 men) is a good reminder that in football, things can change quickly.
Very quickly. Everyone at OL can attest to that.
Because going from relegation to Ligue 2 to joint leaders of Ligue 1 in the space of two months is quite extraordinary. In the truest sense of the word.
Ligue 1 Matchday 3 results
( ) = League position
- (5) RC Lens 3-1 Brest (17)
- (16) FC Lorient 1-7 Lille (3)
- (13) FC Nantes 1-0 Auxerre (14)
- (7) Toulouse FC 3-6 PSG (1)
- (8) Angers SCO 1-1 Rennes (9)
- (15) Paris FC 3-2 FC Metz (18)
- (4) AS Monaco 3-2 Strasbourg (6)
- (11) Le Havre 3-1 OGC Nice (12)
- (2) OL 1-0 OM (10)
