Topics: Lionel Messi, Amine Gouiri, Dimitri Payet, Rennes, PSG, Marseille, Nice, Ligue 1
PSG marched to a 3-1 win over Nantes while Rennes maintained their impressive unbeaten run, beating Montpellier 2-0 to go third in the table.

Matchweek 14 in Ligue 1 has come to a wrap, with the recent round in the French top-flight producing a few memorable moments – both good and ugly. Things kicked off on Friday with the clash between Monaco and defending champions Lille, which ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving both sides rotting in mid-table. However, all eyes were on the weekend.

League leaders PSG were in action in Saturday's early kick-off, taking on Nantes and beating them 3-1 in a game that exhibited all of Les Parisiens' strengths and flaws. Rennes, who have been on an amazing run as of late, triumphed 2-0 at home to Montpellier, entering the top three as a result.

Lens, meanwhile, were handed a surprise defeat, being thrashed 4-0 away to Brest. Nice, on the other hand, strengthened their grip on the no.2 spot after securing a win—albeit a narrow one—over Clermont, beating the relegation-battling side 2-1. Then there was Lyon vs Marseille, the final game of this round, which was a highly-anticipated affair. Unfortunately, this tie did not end well. Here's a quick rundown of everything that happened in the recent round in Ligue 1.

Who are the top five teams in Ligue 1?

Ligue 1, Nice, Rennes, Marseille, PSG, Lens Standings 

Ligue 1 top 3 scorers

Ligue 1, Top Scorers, Gaetan Laborde, Jonathan David, Amine Gouiri, Nice, Lille, Rennes, Ligue 1 

Ligue 1 – top headlines

  • PSG's 3-1 win over Nantes had everything: a fortunate early goal, a sending off, an eye-catching own goal, as well as many other factors. However, the standout incident from that game was the third and final strike, which came courtesy of Lionel Messi, with the Argentine icon getting his first goal in Ligue 1. It was much overdue, but it was worth the wait, with La Pulga curving in a spectacular out-of-the-box shot into the bottom corner of the net. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner had taken 19 shots without netting, but he has finally gotten off the mark.

  • As mentioned earlier, Rennes climbed up to third in the table after securing a lovely 2-0 win over Montpellier. This ascendance is due to their brilliant run, with the French outfit going eight games unbeaten, winning six while drawing the remaining two.

  • Nice's Amine Gouiri set a lovely milestone in his side's 2-1 triumph over Clermont. The French striker grabbed a brace in that tie, scoring both goals in the final 20 minutes of the game to pull off a comeback victory. That two-goal haul saw him become the first player born in 2000 or later to be involved in 30 goals or more in Ligue 1 (20 goals and 11 assists).

  • Lyon hosted Marseille in the final game of this round. Unfortunately, though, this highly-anticipated clash was suspended – and eventually abandoned – after Les Phocéens star Dmitri Payet was struck on the side of his head by a water bottle thrown by a Lyon ultra. It remains to be seen what sanctions will be taken, but it should be noted that there was an attempt to resume the game just over an hour after it was suspended.

Top matches to watch in Ligue 1: Oct. 29-31, 2021

Lens vs Angers SCO: Two beneficiaries of the drop in form from the likes of Monaco and Lille are Lens and Angers as they find themselves in the top six of Ligue 1. Next weekend, the pair will face off, with the home side looking to overcome their recent 4-0 loss to Brest. Unfortunately, the visitors have lost only twice in their last six games and those defeats came against the league's top two teams, PSG and Nice, which is nothing to be embarrassed about. 

Saint-Étienne vs PSG: Despite the ongoing chemistry issue upfront, PSG have been steamrolling in Ligue 1 this season, boasting an 11-point lead at the top. Next up for them is relegation-battling Saint-Etienne, with Les Verts eyeing a surprise victory over the league leaders in a bid to get their season started. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi finally got off the mark in the French top-flight and will be looking to add more goals come the weekend.

Montpellier vs Olympique Lyonnais: Lyon were unable to complete their clash with Marseille, which was unfortunately abandoned after Payet was struck with a water bottle. Aouar and Co. will look to make amends in their upcoming fixture; however, it will be no walk in the park as they will be facing Montpellier, who sit ninth in the table.

*Keep track of all the activities in the French top-flight by following our dedicated Ligue 1 competition page.