Olympique de Marseille crushed Ajax 4-0 at Stade Vélodrome in Champions League play, with Igor Paixão (2 goals, 1 assist) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (1 goal, 2 assists) dominating. The rout equals Ajax’s worst away UCL loss, exposing their defensive chaos.
Tuesday night at Stade Vélodrome wasn’t just a win for Olympique de Marseille—it was a masterclass in clinical attacking that left Ajax reeling. The 4-0 thrashing, Marseille’s first Champions League victory of the season, flipped the script on their opening-match defeat to Real Madrid and piled misery on a Dutch side already staring at a winless group stage start.
Paixão’s Early Blitz Kills Ajax’s Hope Before Kickoff Even Sinks In
Marseille didn’t waste a second asserting dominance. By the 12th minute, the game was effectively over, thanks to Brazilian forward Igor Paixão’s lightning double. The first came in the 6th minute: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gabonese captain, flicked a clever pass into Paixão’s path, and he curled a pinpoint finish past Ajax keeper Vitezslav Jaros. Six minutes later, Paixão struck again—this time a thunderous drive from the edge of the box that nestled in the bottom-left corner, capitalizing on an Ajax midfield turnover that summed up their shambolic night.
“That early one-two punch was like a knockout blow,” said a former Premier League striker on post-match analysis. “Ajax looked like a team playing in quicksand from there.”
Aubameyang & Paixão Make Marseille History as Duo Dominates
The dynamic pair didn’t stop at the first two goals. In the 26th minute, Aubameyang turned provider again, sliding a perfect pass to Mason Greenwood, who coolly slotted home to make it 3-0 before halftime. Then, seven minutes into the second half, the tables turned: Paixão initiated a blistering counterattack and found Aubameyang, who finished from close range to seal the 4-0 scoreline.
The performance etched their names in Marseille lore: it’s the first time two OM players have been involved in three or more goals in a single Champions League match. Aubameyang, who’s faced boos from Marseille fans for his slow Ligue 1 start, silenced critics with a 9.5/10-rated display—his fifth European goal in four games this season.
Ajax’s Nightmare Continues—Defensive Chaos & Zero Firepower
For Ajax, this wasn’t just a loss—it was a humiliation. The defeat equals their worst-ever Champions League away result, and the stats tell the story of their dysfunction. Despite holding 52% possession and earning seven corners, they failed to register a single assist or meaningful shot on target. Their defense, disjointed and slow, couldn’t handle Marseille’s pace, while three yellow cards highlighted their frayed composure.
To add insult to injury, this is Ajax’s second consecutive Champions League loss after falling to Inter Milan in Matchweek 1. Pressure is now mounting on coach John Heitinga, with fans taking to Twitter to question his tactics and the team’s lack of fight.
Marseille’s Bounce-Back Sends Group Stage Warning
For Marseille, the win is a statement of intent. After their opening loss to Real Madrid, few expected such a dominant turnaround—but the victory propels them up the group standings and sets the stage for their next clash with Sporting CP. It’s a reminder that at Stade Vélodrome, one of Europe’s most raucous atmospheres, OM are a force to be reckoned with.
“This is the kind of performance that sparks seasons,” said a Champions League pundit post-match. “Aubameyang and Paixão aren’t just playing—they’re clicking. And if that continues, Marseille could be a dark horse in this competition.”