With the September break barely over, the time had already come for Ligue 1 players to return to the pitch. And as has been the norm since the start of the 2025-26 season, entertainment was once again on the agenda for the fourth day of the French championship. As were controversies. Sports Talk United summarises it all for you.
Barcola gets Dembele and Doue forgotten
With Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue both injured while playing for France during the international break, Bradley Barcola knew he would be called upon in PSG’s upcoming matches. Starting with Sunday’s game against Lens. However, this did not seem to unsettle the 23-year-old winger, who seemingly feels no pressure.
Playing on the left side of a Parisian attack that was quickly depleted when Kvicha Kvaratshkelia was forced off with an injury after just half an hour, the former Lyon player perfectly assumed his role as offensive leader. After scoring a magnificent curling shot in the 15th minute, he then distinguished himself with a solo run that ended with a low effort that beat Robin Risser at his near post.
A welcome boost for PSG, who, on the eve of a series of matches that promise to be increasingly difficult, including their entry into the Champions League, will need all their strength.
Rennes love the Olympiques
Roazhon Park seems to be the place to be at the start of this Ligue 1 season.
The scene of Stade Rennais’ victory over Olympique de Marseille (1-0) and the ensuing altercation between Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot, the Breton stadium once again hosted a Hollywood-style match at the end of the fourth day of the championship.
Boasting three wins and an impenetrable defence (no goals conceded) before this weekend, OL were determined to continue their flawless run against a Rennes side that had suffered two disappointing results (a defeat and a draw) before welcoming them. And Les Gones believed for a long time that they could do it.
Imperious throughout the first half, during which Corentin Tolisso gave them the lead, Paulo Fonseca’s men had a more difficult second half, but still managed to repel their opponents’ attacks.
But they eventually cracked. Mentally, first, after Tyler Morton committed a needless foul that led to his sending off. Then, on the scoreboard, they were punished by Anthony Rouault, who should undoubtedly have been dismissed much earlier in the game for a crude tackle on Khalis Merah. And although OL were still breathing at that point, despite the equaliser, Mohamed Kader Meité came along to finish them off for good. Coming on in the 69th minute, the 17-year-old striker scored twice (although his first goal was clearly counted as an own goal) in added time, sending the Rouge et Noir fans into raptures.
The Brest Pirates aim to avoid sinking
For Brest, autumn is sure to be a hot one. Currently 17th in Ligue 1 with just one point to their name, Eric Roy’s men are having a difficult start to the season. Yesterday, they were beaten at home by Paris FC, suffering their third consecutive defeat (1-2). All this despite having faced a majority of opponents from ‘their’ league, the bottom half of the table, and having shown worrying defensive weaknesses.
The coming weeks will therefore be decisive for the Bretons, who face a seemingly manageable schedule (Nice, Angers, Nantes, Lorient). But they will need to rack up points. The following weeks, marked by clashes with PSG, OL, OM and Monaco, could prove even more difficult.
Ligue 1 Matchday 4 results
( ) = League position
- (7) OM 4-0 Lorient (16)
- (9) Nice 1-0 Nantes (14)
- (15) Auxerre 0-1 Monaco (3)
- (2) Lille 2-1 Toulouse (10)
- (1) PSG 2-0 RC Lens (8)
- (18) FC Metz 1-1 Angers (12)
- (17) Brest 1-2 Paris FC (11)
- (5) Strasbourg 1-0 Le Havre (13)
- (6) Rennes 3-1 OL (4)
