Torres Strikes Again as PSG Edge Marseille in Explosive Le Classique

Ferran Torres is quickly becoming Paris Saint-Germain’s difference-maker off the bench.

The Spain forward came on after half-time and scored within seven minutes as PSG beat bitter rivals Marseille 2-1 at the Vélodrome on Sunday.

Torres entered in the 59th minute for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Seven minutes later, he rose at the near post to head in a cross from Désiré Doué and put the visitors ahead.

It was his fourth Ligue 1 goal of the season and seventh in all competitions since joining PSG from Barcelona in August.

The goal continued a remarkable start for the 26-year-old, who has made only three starts so far. He had also scored the winner against Brest last weekend.

PSG's official match report named Torres the player of the match after another decisive substitute appearance.

Three goals in 10 minutes

The game had been goalless for more than an hour before suddenly coming to life.

Torres broke the deadlock in the 66th minute.

Marseille responded six minutes later when Angel Gomes produced a fine individual finish to make it 1-1.

The hosts' relief lasted only two minutes.

PSG captain Marquinhos restored the lead in the 74th minute after his initial header was saved by Marseille goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange. The Brazilian reacted quickest to the rebound and forced the ball over the line.

Marseille's task became even harder three minutes later when captain Timothy Weah was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

PSG held on to claim their second win of the Ligue 1 campaign.

The victory moved the European champions to sixth place on eight points after five matches. Marseille, meanwhile, dropped to 17th with just three points.

Torres making his mark

Torres' early PSG numbers have given the club plenty to be encouraged about.

The forward joined from Barcelona in August after scoring 16 La Liga goals during the 2025-26 campaign and winning the Zarra Trophy as the league's leading Spanish goalscorer. Barcelona said he left after 207 appearances and 65 goals for the club.

He has now scored seven times in his first six appearances for PSG.

What makes the start particularly notable is his limited time on the pitch.

Against Marseille, Torres needed just seven minutes to score. Against Brest the previous weekend, he again came off the bench to find the winner.

His latest goal also came in one of French football's biggest fixtures.

“We knew that for us it was one of the most important matches of the season. We knew it wouldn't be easy but we managed to get the victory,” Torres said after the match.

He added that the international break would give the players a chance to step away from club football before returning to their teams.

Marseille's worrying slide

For Marseille, the defeat was another major setback.

It was their fifth consecutive defeat in Ligue 1, leaving them with only three points from their opening five league matches. They have also suffered a heavy defeat in Europe this season.

Reuters reported on Monday that Marseille are facing mounting pressure after the poor run, with the club also dealing with financial restrictions that have affected its ability to strengthen the squad.

Coach Bruno Genesio said after the latest defeat that his team needed to improve defensively and stop conceding goals that could have been avoided.

The loss to PSG will be particularly painful because Marseille fought back after falling behind and briefly appeared capable of taking something from the match.

Instead, Marquinhos' quick response and Weah's dismissal left the hosts empty-handed.

PSG still have work to do

Despite the win, PSG's league campaign has not been perfect.

The defending champions sit sixth after five matches, with eight points, while Monaco lead the table.

But Sunday's victory offered another reminder of the depth available to Luis Enrique.

Torres started the night on the bench. He entered with the match still goalless and changed it within minutes.

For PSG, that ability to find decisive contributions from players outside the starting XI could prove important as the season moves into a crowded schedule.

For Torres, meanwhile, the message is becoming harder to ignore: he may not always start, but he is increasingly finding ways to decide games.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.