Olympique de Marseille secured a vital 2-1 win over Newcastle United in the 5th matchday of the Champions League at the Vélodrome. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a decisive double in the second half, assisted by Darryl Bakola on his debut. This victory lifts OM to 19th place with 6 points.
The match took place on November 25, 2025, at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Newcastle opened the scoring early through Harvey Barnes in the 6th minute, following a tough start for OM: Leonardo Balerdi was booked in the 4th for a foul on Joe Willock, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made a goal-line clearance in the 5th. Igor Paixão attempted to spark Marseille's comeback in the 9th.
In the second half, OM turned the game around. Aubameyang equalized in the 46th minute with a long-range strike, capitalizing on a risky rush by Nick Pope. Four minutes later, at the 50th, he made it 2-1 on a cross from Timothy Weah, assisted by a perfect pass from 17-year-old debutant Darryl Bakola. Bakola had been yellow-carded for simulation in the 36th. Barnes had two goals disallowed for offside in the 48th and threatened again with a curling shot in the 85th.
Aubameyang, man of the match after a shaky first half including a missed header from Mason Greenwood's cross in the 38th, said: “It’s the team’s strength. It’s the mix of youth and veterans. We’re super happy. (On Bakola) I said he was going to make an assist.” Bakola replied: “My nickname? Mesut Özil (laughs). [...] It’s crazy. I’m used to it now but the supporters are always with me.” Gerónimo Rulli added: “The crowd was phenomenal today. [...] We’re back in the qualification race, three matches left.” Following a 0-1 loss to Atalanta, this win revives the Phocéens.